Michael Stewart rages at ‘Shambolic’ Rangers v Kilmarnock controversy at Ibrox
Michael Stewart was not happy with the VAR officials during Rangers 4-1 win against Kilmarnock at Ibrox on 5 May, calling their delay in making a simple handball call “shambolic”.
The Bears thought they’d won the early spot-kick when Dujon Sterling’s cutback brushed the arm of Corrie Ndaba, but after finally being asked to take a look on the pitch-side VAR monitor, the referee stuck with his on-field decision of no penalty.
Stewart praised David Dickinson for not giving a penalty after the clash but lambasted the lengthy time it took VAR to decide that he should have a second look at the incident.
Speaking live on BBC Scotland Sportscene, Stewart said: “Great credit needs to be given to David Dickinson, the referee. Shambolic from the VAR officials to slow the game down as long as they did.
“I think everybody that’s involved in football saw this within a couple of seconds and could see – it’s not a penalty kick.”
Rangers recover from penalty drama to dispatch Kilmarnock
Rangers not being given that controversial early penalty decision was a sign of things to come at Ibrox, as a first half which had absolutely everything began in frantic style for the hosts.
As well as Kilmarnock getting away with that Ndaba handball call, there was also an own goal by captain James Tavernier that gave the visitors an early lead.
Just minutes later, another handball call was made in the Killie box, but this time the penalty did go Rangers’ way. Joe Wright was given a straight red card following another VAR intervention, but Tavernier couldn’t make the visitors pay as Will Dennis saved his attempt from 12 yards.
Fabio Silva, whose effort won the initial penalty, popped up late in the half to finally level things up with a goal in the eighth minute of injury time, and that sent the hosts into the break with renewed confidence.
It showed in the second half too, with Kilmarnock offering next to nothing and Rangers scoring three more goals through Ben Davies, Tom Lawrence and John Souttar, rounding off a game which was great for the neutral but likely a very stressful one for Philippe Clement and his staff.
In other Rangers news, Derek Ferguson says the club have no chance of the title this season.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.