Ally McCoist fires jibe at Celtic live on talkSPORT over Rangers ‘conspiracy’
Ally McCoist has fired a jibe at Celtic over the suggestion that there is a “conspiracy” to ensure that Rangers are awarded more penalties than other Scottish Premiership sides.
James Tavernier scored the Light Blues’ ninth penalty in their last 10 domestic matches in their 3-1 win over Dundee on Saturday (9 December) leading to suggestions that Philippe Clement’s side are being helped by conspiring officials.
Rangers have also only conceded one penalty in their last seven games, a figure much lower than any other side in Scotland and McCoist has offered his services to Celtic live on air to help them stop giving away spot kicks.
Speaking on talkSPORT (12 December, 9:53) he said: “That’s a load of nonsense. Absolute nonsense.
“If we’re going to go down that road we are questioning the integrity of Scottish referees and Scottish referees and officials, the same as referees and officials all over the country, all over Europe and the world make mistakes.”
Jeff Stelling replied: “Over the last six seasons they’ve won more penalties than any other team and in the last 71 games do you know how many penalties they’ve had given against them? One penalty against them.
“Celtic have conceded eight penalties in that time. No conspiracy?”
McCoist hit back saying: “It’s all about the defending, you need to stay on your feet, Jeff. I’ll have a word, if the Celtic boys want me to have a word on how to defend, I’ll talk them through it. Stay on your feet, don’t give the referee an opportunity to give a penalty kick.
“Celtic have had more penalties than us this season and you know something, if you attack as much as Rangers and Celtic do, you’ll get more penalties. Simple. We cannot, cannot, go down the road of pointing fingers at the integrity of officials.”
Penalty to Rangers
This has been a stick to beat Rangers with over the last few years that the Light Blues are getting favours from the officials when in the opposition box, but it is clear that the wider issue is the poor standard of officiating in the Scottish game.
Clement’s side may have been fortunate to get their penalty against Dundee, but in the modern game that much contact will always be a spot-kick, they were just as unlucky to see Jose Cifuentes shown a red card for a late challenge in the first half.
The Light Blues may be appearing to get the rub of the green in terms of penalty calls, but the suggestion that it is a result of a conspiracy is complete “nonsense” as McCoist has suggested.
It seems unlikely that Celtic will be taking McCoist up on his offer to help their defence avoid more fouls in the penalty area, but Rangers supporters will be hoping that this fortunate penalty record continues until the end of the campaign.
In other Rangers news, Barry Ferguson has offered his verdict on the Light Blues’ appeal for Jose Cifuentes’ red card