Dermot Gallagher reacts to Rangers incident in last-gasp victory v Hearts live on Sky Sports
Dermot Gallagher believes the officials were right to give Rangers a penalty against Hearts on Sunday (29 October).
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch on Monday (30 October, 11:54am), the former Premier League referee said the VAR saw Peter Haring pulling the shirt of Connor Goldson from a corner.
He added that it was “hard not to give a penalty” before captain James Tavernier stepped up to equalise in the 90th minute, with Danilo scoring the winner three minutes later to earn a 2-1 victory for the Light Blues at Ibrox.
“Back post isn’t it,” said Gallagher. “He sees him pulling the shirt, holds onto it, alerts the referee, he goes and looks and gives the penalty. Hard not to give a penalty when you see that.”
Blatant
It was a blatant foul by Haring on Goldson and the VAR did well to pick it up before instructing the referee to take a look at the monitor.
It’s those decisions that back up how the extra officials can have a positive impact on the game despite the ongoing criticism surrounding the current standard of officiating.
Tavernier then stepped up to put his side level before Danilo scored what should be a confidence-boosting goal to hand his side all three points.
The victory has taken the Gers within five points of Celtic after they were held to a goalless draw against Hibernian on Saturday (28 October).
The Light Blues will now feel that if they keep doing their job and winning their own games, then they will be able to slowly chip away at the Hoops’ lead and propel themselves back into the SPFL title race.
In other Rangers news, the Gers were torn to shreds in a newspaper after squandering £8million.