Michael Stewart drops red card verdict on Rangers star Connor Goldson after incident v Aberdeen
Michael Stewart has claimed Connor Goldson was lucky not to receive a red card for a flailing arm on Dante Polvara during Rangers’ 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
The former Scotland midfielder insisted that, although he believes a yellow card was the correct decision, he is surprised VAR didn’t give a red based on the slowed-down footage.
Stewart suggested that had a red card been given, it would have been a fair decision, but seeing the incident in real-time he believes they got the call right.
Stewart was speaking live on BBC Sportscene [26 November, 19:38] when he insisted: “When you watch it in real time, I think that’s what you have to look at. We can slow this down and it looks, for me personally, it looks worse than it really is.
“It’s a borderline one. I think, had it been a red card, I don’t think there could have been much case to appeal it, but certainly, when you watch it in real-time, for me, I think it just about constitutes a yellow card rather than a red.
“But he is running a risk. And he can complain about Polvara going down – he’s gone down a lot easier with a small pull of the jersey.
“He’s lucky to get away with it because I think had they looked at it, the way that VAR does when they slow things down, it looks a lot worse. But I do think the yellow card is probably just about the right call.”
Could have gone either way
As Stewart suggested, this was one of those calls that could have gone either way and nobody could have many complaints about either. From a Rangers point of view, a red card would have been harsh for what was ultimately an inconsequential challenge.
Yes, Goldson’s arm is high and in the face of the defender, but there’s no force behind it, it’s not an elbow, he’s just attempting to get in front of his man and gain an advantage to challenge for the ball.
It is surprising VAR didn’t give the red card. It’s the type of decision they usually love to make, a slowed-down replay of a nothing incident which they can use to have maximum effect on the game when it is clear to most what the decision should be.
Ultimately, though, it wasn’t given, so Gers fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing Goldson will continue to be available for selection as they continue their quest for points in an attempt to close the gap to Celtic at the top of the table.
In other Rangers news, 2/10 stinks out Pittodrie in player ratings.