Doug Ward

Sun 17 December 2023 18:00, UK

Michael Stewart suggests Aberdeen should have been awarded a penalty against Rangers after replays showed Todd Cantwell pulling Stefan Gartenmann’s shirt in the box at Hampden Park.

Just before the half-hour mark in the Viaplay Cup final, Cantwell was spotted with a handful of Gartenmann’s shirt as the Light Blues defended a set-piece.

VAR didn’t review the incident but Stewart and Hutton were less than impressed with the English midfielder for risking conceding a penalty so needlessly.

“He’s pulled his shirt, it’s quite clear. Now, the instructions in the law are that not every pull is a penalty, although it certainly seems that way at times,” said Stewart on Viaplay on Sunday (17 December, 03:29pm).

Alan Hutton said: “There’s just no need for Todd Cantwell to do that.”

Stewart added: “It’s lazy.”

Hutton added: “Yeah, there’s just no need. You’re putting yourself under pressure and asking the question.”

Needless

Cantwell was probably saved by the fact Gartenmann didn’t go down but the Aberdeen player should have been wise enough to think about doing that after having his shirt pulled.

Connor Goldson had his shirt pulled more viciously a few weeks back and he won a late penalty as a result. But he went down, whether he did that on purpose or not.

Referees reward players for hitting the deck because, for some reason, they don’t feel like they’ve been fouled unless they’re knocked off their feet.

That’s why it’s the referees’ fault that diving and simulation have grown worse in the game over the last couple of decades.

You’ll no doubt get people bringing up their conspiracy theories about teams not getting penalties against Rangers because of this but if Gartenmann had the nous to go down, he may have forced VAR into a decision.

It’s not Rangers’ fault that these opposing teams don’t win the fouls when they’re there.

In other Rangers news, Hugh Keevins has blasted Scott Brown for pandering to conspiracy theorists about the Gers.