Sky Sports pundit drops ‘shambles’ verdict after incident in Rangers v Kilmarnock
Kenny Miller said it would have been “a shambles” had Rangers been awarded an early penalty in the meeting with Kilmarnock.
The Gers had a couple of penalty appeals in a frenetic start to Sunday’s (5 May) Scottish Premiership clash at Ibrox, shortly before falling behind.
One of those incidents in the first two minutes saw the ball hit the arm of Corrie Ndaba as he tried to get it off Dujon Sterling.
Referee David Dickinson was asked by VAR to check the pitchside monitor, at which point Miller questioned why it was even being debated.
“For me, I don’t think it’s a penalty,” he said on Sky Sports Football [5 May, 1:07pm]. “If it’s a penalty, it’s a very, very harsh one.
“[Ndaba’s] within a yard of the ball. His arm is out, but it’s in a natural position and he’s within a yard. This would be a shambles of a penalty call.”
Who was the Rangers v Kilmarnock referee?
David Dickinson certainly had his work cut out at Ibrox in a game that had talking points aplenty, not least in the first quarter of the contest.
From offside calls and penalty decisions to a red card, this was a match in which the officials really had to be on top of their game.
As for this particular instance, Miller is correct in stating that Ndaba’s arm was in a natural position and there was not a lot he could do.
When the referee was asked to check the monitor, you just assumed a spot-kick would be awarded, but he held firm and stood by his decision.
This is another example of the handball rules being open to debate, particularly in Scottish football.
On this occasion, you have to side with the officials and accept that it was the right decision.
In other Rangers news, the Gers have been urged to consider appointing a manager who previously rejected them.
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