Dermot Gallagher reacts live on Sky Sports to controversial incident in Rangers win v Hibs
Dermot Gallagher has praised the officials for awarding Rangers a penalty in the first half against Hibernian on Saturday (30 March).
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch on Monday (1 April, 11:54am), the former English Premier League referee said he initially thought it was a “really harsh” decision after Nectarios Triantis was adjudged to have caught John Souttar with his arm following a VAR check.
After seeing a replay of the incident, he admitted the officials were “absolutely right” to give the penalty before James Tavernier stepped up and missed from the spot in the Gers’ 3-1 victory at Ibrox.
“When I saw this, I thought really harsh,” said Gallagher. “When I saw the replay when it goes to the VAR, absolutely right.
“What I would also say is that it’s a yellow card, flailing arm, catches him in the face. Credit to the VAR because when I saw it first of all, I didn’t think foul. When I saw the replay, definitely a foul.”
Rangers penalty decision against Hibernian justified
There has been some debate over whether Rangers were right to be awarded a penalty, but Gallagher’s verdict backs the officials’ decision up.
The SFA have been criticised this season for the amount of penalties the Gers have been given and, while some of them may have been debatable, this one certainly wasn’t.
It didn’t actually matter in the end anyway, as Tavernier missed from the spot and Scott Wright’s rebound was ruled out for encroachment.
They didn’t let that setback get them down, though, as the Light Blues captain scored just moments later to put his side ahead and become the highest-scoring defender in British history.
Philippe Clement will be looking for his side to take confidence from the victory as they prepare to take on Celtic in the Old Firm on 7 April.
In other Rangers news, a pundit has reacted to an accusation aimed at the SFA following an Old Firm development.
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