Ex-SFA official reacts to Rangers player controversy v Celtic – ‘It definitely wasn’t’
Former Scottish Premiership referee Steve Conroy has given his reaction to a Celtic penalty appeal as Dujon Sterling may have handled the ball inside the Rangers box.
The ball was whipped across the penalty area by Alistair Johnson and there were appeals waved away for handball by Willie Collum.
The Gers fell six points behind Celtic in the title race after a 2-1 loss. Matt O’Riley and a John Lundstram own goal was enough despite a Cyriel Dessers header.
Speaking to the Daily Record (11 May), Conroy was very clear with his opinion on the appeals from the home side.
He said: “Alistair Johnston was again involved in this one with the Celtic defender flashing a ball across goal and there was a quick check over a potential handball against Dujon Sterling but there was nothing I could see there. It definitely wasn’t a handball.”
How did Rangers perform v Celtic?
Celtic were always going to have the better of the ball and chances being at home with no Rangers fans allowed in.
This is how it went but bar one O’Riley strike from the edge of the area, they couldn’t beat Jack Butland throughout.
It was frustrating that John Lundstram had a shocker as he scored a bizarre own goal before getting sent off for a silly tackle on Johnson.
The Canadian didn’t want the ball and was under all sorts of pressure but to fly in high on his calf was always going to end in a red card.
From there the game was going to favour Celtic as they were already winning and now against ten men.
They didn’t score again and Butland even saved a penalty so you can say Philippe Clement’s side did well to shut out in the second half.
A frustrating day that has all but ended Rangers’ hopes in the title race.
In other Rangers news, the SPFL have agreed a “lucrative” deal after major pressure from Ibrox.
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