Ex-Premier League official reacts to footage of new angle in Rangers controversy v Celtic
Ex-Premier League referee Jeff Winter has reacted to the incident involving Nico Raskin and Joe Hart during the Scottish Cup final between Celtic and Rangers.
The Hoops lifted the trophy after beating their Glasgow rivals 1-0 at Hampden Park on Saturday (25 May).
Abdallah Sima thought he had put Rangers ahead with an hour played, only to see the goal ruled out after referee Nick Walsh consulted the pitchside monitor and adjudged Raskin to have pushed Hart in the build-up.
Footage shared by LeSouness on X (25 May) appears to show Raskin being held, but Winter disagreed it was enough for a foul, writing via X (25 May): “Honest question please, if that happens at the other end would you be wanting a foul?”
Winter responded to another X user on Sunday (26 May): “Was the ball in play when Raskin was being held, if so penalty, if not no penalty. Did Raskin push Hart in the back with both hands, yes. Not my opinion, fact!!”
Philippe Clement and Rangers must move on from the VAR controversy v Celtic
It is a decision which could be argued both ways.
While Winter is right that Raskin appears to push Hart, Rangers fans are well within their rights to suggest that there wasn’t enough contact for the goalkeeper to react the way he did.
But Celtic supporters would likely hit back and say that Raskin gave the referee a decision to make as soon as he placed his hands on Hart, a suggestion which Winter seems to agree with.
Either way, debating the decision isn’t going to change the outcome of the match.
The history books will show that Rangers were beaten in the cup final by Celtic, regardless of what a thread on X suggests.
What is important for Philippe Clement and his players now is how they react.
They must use this most recent heartbreak as fuel for next season, and make sure they use the summer transfer window as an opportunity to assemble a squad which can take down Celtic next year.
In other Rangers news, a BBC Sportscene pundit believes one player at the club will attract interest this summer.
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