Michael Stewart outraged at ‘stupid, stupid’ incident he saw in Rangers win over Hearts live on BBC Sportsound
Peter Haring’s foul on Connor Goldson to give Rangers a second penalty in the 90th minute of the win over Hearts was “terrible play”, according to Michael Stewart.
The pundit was outraged live on the BBC Sportsound commentary of the game at Ibrox on 29 October as the visiting substitute tugged the Gers defender’s shirt at a late corner with the score at 1-0, giving James Tavernier the opportunity to level from the spot after a VAR review.
Stewart blasted Haring for his “stupid, stupid” decision to grab Goldson’s shirt instead of just run with him, with the equaliser coming just as Steven Naismith’s side were in touching distance of a rare win at the Light Blues’ home only to leave with nothing after conceding a 93rd-minute winner to Danilo.
Stewart said (4.52pm): “Certainly the first angle I had it never looked like a penalty kick to me, but do you know what? He’s pulling his jersey.
“It is stupid, stupid play from Haring. Stupid play from Haring. That’s the angle that the VAR officials have seen…
“I don’t even know why he’s doing it. He’s got time to actually react and just run after [Goldson]… I don’t know how he’s lost him to be a yard or so behind him.
“I just think that’s terrible play from Peter Haring to pull his jersey.”
Gift
Rangers toiled throughout an uninspiring second 45 minutes and didn’t get much closer than a shot fired into the side netting which resulted in Nico Raskin being stretchered off and an effort poked over the bar with little confidence from Sam Lammers.
Tavernier had already passed up once chance from the penalty spot when he hit the post with the last kick of the first half and the entire afternoon had the look of Philippe Clement’s honeymoon period ending in unceremonious circumstances.
Instead, Haring opened the door in fairly needless fashion and the Light Blues took the the opportunity to escape with a win that seemed nearly impossible just moments earlier.
Clement was delighted with the result afterwards even if the performance must have concerned him, especially after having dispatched Hibs with ease last weekend to the tune of a 4-0 win.
Predecessor Michael Beale also snatched an unlikely win in one of his early games in charge at Aberdeen last season when Scott Arfield scored in the 95th and 97th minutes for a 3-2 win on 20 December.
The current Ibrox boss will have to hope that the similarity of those two events is where the comparison between the two ends and this Hearts win can serve as a warning.
Massive improvements will be needed from most of the team if they are to capitalise on narrowing the gap to Celtic down to five points and actually threaten a title race this season.
In other Rangers news, Tom English claims he is fascinated by a multimillion pound Ibrox man as he “can’t see a player”.