Mark Benstead makes ‘ruined’ claim live on Sky Sports after incident in Rangers win vs Kilmarnock at Ibrox
Mark Benstead joked Rangers have “ruined” the start of the new year for conspiracy theorists after conceding a penalty against Kilmarnock.
Referee John Beaton pointed to the spot during the second half of Tuesday’s (2 January) Scottish Premiership clash at Ibrox.
Rory McKenzie’s cross struck the right arm of John Souttar in the box and the spot-kick was awarded after a check of the pitchside monitor.
Daniel Armstrong converted to make it 2-1 in the 58th minute, but the Gers responded instantly and went on to win the contest 3-1.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, as per their live blog [2 December, 4.34pm], Benstead said: “The new year ruined for the conspiracy theorists.
“It had been a while since a Premiership penalty against Rangers. The last time it happened was January 18, 2022 – Lewis Ferguson scored for Aberdeen that day.”
Routine win
Social media was full of jokes pretty much the second Beaton awarded the penalty, with Chris Sutton among those to mock Rangers.
The decision seemed pretty harsh on the face of it, but this does at least go to show that there is no bias towards the Gers – as we all already knew.
It could easily have set up a nervy final half an hour or so at Ibrox, but Todd Cantwell scored three minutes after Armstrong’s penalty to put the hosts back in command.
Goals from Ross McCausland and Abdallah Sima late in the first half, prior to the penalty incident, meant it was a pretty routine victory in the end for Philippe Clement’s men.
For those wondering, the penalty count for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership this season now stands at nine received – the same number as Celtic – and one conceded.
Like Glasgow busses, do not be at all surprised if another penalty is conceded on the Gers’ return to action later this month.
In other Rangers news, one player had a 2/10 shocker in the first half of the win over Kilmarnock.