George Overhill

Mon 13 November 2023 7:10, UK

Michael Stewart accused Ross McCausland of having “dived” to win the first Rangers penalty at Livingston, and branded it “nonsense” that VAR confirmed the decision.

The BBC pundit reacted live on Sportscene on 12 November to express his shock that the video assistant had reviewed Steve McLean’s penalty award at the Tony Macaroni Arena and allowed it to stand.

The Northern-Irishman went down easily in the box only for James Tavernier to miss the 23rd-minute spot kick, before a Cyriel Dessers opener soon after and a second penalty from the captain late on secured the points.

Stewart said (7.53pm): “It wasn’t a penalty, there’s absolutely no doubt about it. I’m surprised that when VAR’s looked at it that they’ve decided to stick with Steven McLean’s decision.

“Sometimes when you’re running at pace and you’re stretching you can understand players going down but this is… no he’s dived. You can see there, there’s clear daylight between Shamal George’s arm and McCausland’s boot.

“When VAR’s looking at that I can’t believe that they’ve not said to Steven McLean that he needs to go over and look at the monitor, and effectively change his decision.

“It becomes a moot point because James Tavernier’s missed it.”

In response to the news that VAR decided that it was still a foul by George after their review Stewart branded it simply, “nonsense”.

Soft

McCausland got the touch around George’s outstretched hand and went down under minimal contact, in the kind of decision that is sometimes seen as a penalty either way because the defending player has mistimed their challenge, and at others will provoke rage at a perceived dive.

As it was Tavernier missed his second penalty in three weekends so it didn’t affect the result, with the Englishman converting another in the same match once more.

VAR’s influence on the action was extensive on Sunday as it also awarded the second kick for a much less debatable Livi handball, while also ruling out two Gers strikes.

Stewart wasn’t the only one unhappy with VAR over the kick won by McCausland, and despite the technology getting some praise for chopping off the Light Blues’ apparent opener from Connor Goldson it is unlikely to have pleased anybody 100%.

McCausland thought he’d scored his first for the club only for a debatable foul on Abdallah Sima to see it disallowed as well, with the debate over officiating set to continue ad infinitum.

But Philippe Clement will just be pleased to have come away with a relatively comfortable three points to send his side into the international break with a 100% SPFL record under the Belgian.

In other Rangers news, a “petulant” Livi sub tried to get a “bite” from the Rangers travelling support to the bemusement of a BBC Sportsound pundit.