Rangers: Ex-SFA official reacts to Fabio Silva incident v Celtic at Ibrox
Former Scottish FA referee Steve Conroy has blasted Fabio Silva’s “appalling display” during Rangers’ 3-3 draw with Celtic on Sunday (7 April).
Conroy was left disappointed after Silva appeared to dive on multiple occasions throughout a match which proved to be one of the most exciting Old Firm derbies in years.
Silva went down holding his face under what appeared to be minimal contact in the first half, which Conroy was less than impressed by.
Speaking via Daily Record Sport on X (7 April), the ex-Grade One referee said, “What an appalling display from Silva.
“A deliberate attempt to deceive the referee & get an opponent sent off.”
The controversy surrounding Silva continued in the second half, with the 21-year-old initially booked for diving in the penalty area before VAR overruled the decision to award a penalty which was converted by James Tavernier.
Fabio Silva’s diving will be the least of Rangers’ thoughts after thrilling Old Firm derby with Celtic
Philippe Clement will likely be more frustrated by Silva’s underwhelming performance, rather than the Wolves loanee’s diving antics.
Silva did very little to impact the game, missing a couple of great chances before being substituted, and he was perhaps lucky to be awarded a penalty in controversial circumstances.
However, Silva’s dramatics will do little to distract from what was one of the most exciting matches Scottish football has seen in years.
Rangers twice came from behind to secure a point against Celtic, and at full-time it will certainly be the Gers who are the happier of the two sides.
After levelling the match from 2-0 down, the Hoops went up the other end to score just a matter of seconds later in what looked like the final action of the game.
But with minutes to go, Rabbi Matondo came up with a stunning equaliser which lifted the roof off Ibrox.
It leaves Clement’s side a point behind Celtic with a game in hand, and the momentum certainly appears to be with the Gers after Matondo’s last-gasp stunner.
In other Rangers news, James McClean was also less than impressed by Silva’s antics.
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