Rangers: Michael Stewart reacts immediately to Dujon Sterling controversy v Hibernian
Michael Stewart is not convinced Dujon Sterling should have been awarded a penalty in the first half of Rangers’ Scottish Cup fifth-round tie with Hibernian at Easter Road.
Sterling, playing on the flanks for Rangers, appeared to be clipped by Jordan Obita in Sunday’s (10 March) clash with referee Steven McLean awarding the penalty.
However, Stewart – speaking on co-commentary for Viaplay – thought that Sterling was fortunate to get the decision when reacting immediately to the decision.
“I’m not sure he clips him but it’s clumsy. Is it a case that Sterling just feels the contact and goes over? It’s a difficult one,” he said.
“Do you know what, I need to look at this and see if there’s a clipping, I don’t think that’s a penalty. I think Sterling feels a bit of contact and falls over.
“I don’t think there’s any clipping of the heels, I don’t think Obita impedes him, I think there’s a coming together, that’s going to happen in football. I think as soon as Sterling feels any contact he’s gone to ground there.”
Rangers went on to win 2-0 at Easter Road in a match where the hosts finished with nine men.
Dujon Sterling involved in penalty decision in Rangers v Hibernian
I’m not sure I can get on board with what Stewart is saying here. To me it looked like Obita got himself in an almighty mess and made contact with Sterling, who won the penalty for his side.
A partisan home crowd obviously felt it was not a penalty but most observers seemed to agreed that it was a spot-kick and that Sterling was felled by Obita, who just got beaten all ends up by the Rangers man.
As it transpires, David Marshall saved the spot-kick from captain James Tavernier but John Lundstram was quickest to react to put Rangers in front against Hibs at Easter Road.
It is not often you see Tavernier miss from 12 yards, it’s not too often you see him miss from 25 in dead-ball scenarios, but given Lundstram was on hand to spare his teammate he can probably be allowed a rare misstep from the spot.
In other Rangers news, Kenny Dalglish has been blown away by one Gers ace.
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