Rangers: Sky Sports pundit reacts instantly to VAR incident v St Johnstone, ‘nowhere near’
Sky Sports pundit Kenny Miller gave his instant reaction to a VAR incident as Rangers defeated St Johnstone 3-0 to go top of the Scottish Premiership on Sunday (18 February).
The Gers had a huge penalty shout when Andy Considine felled Dujon Sterling in the penalty area late in the second half at McDiarmid Park but referee Matthew MacDermid did not initially award the spot kick.
However, the official headed over to the monitor and consequently pointed to the spot and James Tavernier made it 2-0, before he later added another from 12 yards.
Reacting to the first incident, Miller – speaking on Sky Sports Main Football’s coverage of the game (1.33pm) – said: “My first thought was it was a penalty there’s no doubt that Sterling got to the ball first.
“The only thing I can say from Considine is there’s no doubt he makes contact but is he trying to pull out of it? Listen I don’t think so, I think this is going to be a penalty awarded, he goes straight in, catches Sterling on the outside left of the boot, gets nowhere the ball, I think he’ll award the penalty.
“Real time it looked a penalty, on the replays it does as well. I think that’s the right call, Considine’s unhappy about it.”
Rangers benefit from VAR call in 3-0 win over at St Johnstone
VAR is not always the most popular with football supporters, and Gers fans have had their issues with it in the past, but on this occasion it helped the referee get to the right decision.
It looked a stonewaller at full speed and the replays made it even more clear, so ultimately VAR on this occasion did its job and Considine was rightly punished for his foul on Sterling.
Tavernier kept his cool at a time where Rangers were only leading 1-0 and it was a huge moment, not only in the game but potentially in the race for the Scottish Premiership as Rangers went top of the table following Celtic’s draw with Kilmarnock a day prior.
There is still a long, long way to go in the season but psychologically this feels like a really big moment in the season for Rangers, who can hopefully take confidence from hitting the front in the title race.
In other Rangers news, Mohamed Diomande reacted to his first goal for the club in the St Johnstone win.
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