Rangers: Michael Stewart issues verdict on controversial Cyriel Dessers goal vs Hearts
Michael Stewart felt Cyriel Dessers’ second for Rangers in the 5-0 destruction of Hearts should not have stood as it was a handball “all day long”.
The BBC pundit reacted live on Sportsound on 24 February as the Nigerian smashed high into the net at the start of the second half, having got his arms involved in controlling a Dujon Sterling cross to seemingly waste the chance before the loose ball broke back to him.
Neither Kenny Miller or Allan Preston could be sure on the match commentary whether it had been handled or whether it had first come off his thigh, but Stewart was certain it was a handball.
However, Don Robertson in the VAR room gave Nick Walsh the all-clear the goal eventually stood, to make it 4-0 in the 48th minute of a stunning display.
Miller said (4.11pm): “There might be a hint of handball, I’m not too sure about that. It’s definitely close on both hands I think but it might actually catch him on the thigh as well.
“But listen, he makes no mistake when he gets the second opportunity, smashes it into the roof of Zander Clark’s net.”
Preston added: “I think it’s very close. He might have controlled it on his thigh as Kenny said, but his arms come together to try and control the ball. It’s whether it hits them or not.”
Miller said: “It does look like it hits his hand. It hits his thigh and then maybe bounces off, it could maybe hit both arms to be honest. Has Michael been able to see it or not? I don’t know.”
Stewart replied: “Yeah for me it’s a handball all day long… it’s a handball.”
Don Robertson allows contentions Cyriel Dessers strike in big Rangers win
It looked a tight one and could have gone either way, but it was reviewed at some length and given so unless an official has taken leave of his senses once again it must have been within the rules.
The importance of such decisions are often dismissed on the basis of the eventual result, which frequently ignores the fact that the best team doesn’t always win every game.
But in the circumstances at Ibrox this genuinely would have made no difference either way, as Dessers’ first, converted just before the break from a wonderful John Souttar ball, had already ended the contest for the dominant Gers.
His second should surely have seen him on the way to a hat-trick, but on a day where he managed to display the best and the worst of his qualities and still ultimately perform strongly he couldn’t get a third.
In contrast to the 2-1 victory on 29 October Dessers also managed to leave opposite number Lawrence Shankland in the shade on the day, and while it could be argued the Scot would have had about five if he had been playing for Rangers they certainly didn’t miss him this time.
In other Rangers news, the Gers look to be hurtling towards a “massive” £60million change.
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