Bobby Madden reacts to Rangers controversy v Hibernian [Credit: Sky Sports]
Bobby Madden reacts to Rangers controversy v Hibernian [Credit: Sky Sports]

Bobby Madden reacts to Rangers controversy v Hibernian after Ibrox incident

Jonathan Burnett

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

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Rangers defender Jon Souttar conceding a penalty for handball against Hibernian on Sunday 29 September was "100 per cent correct", Bobby Madden has said.

The former FIFA referee posted on Instagram (29 September) to give his analysis on the controversial incident which saw Hibs awarded a penalty late in the first half after a scrappy shot hit Souttar's elbow.

Jack Butland saved Mykola Kuharevich's effort to help his side to a 1-0 victory, and Madden argued that while the decision was correct, calls for Souttar to be sent off were not.

He said: "Penalty 100 per cent correct. No doubt.

"I see some blinkered individuals are demanding a red card for denying a goal – unlike Motherwell yesterday, the goalkeeper was in position to make a save. Quite simple really."

Rangers survive Hibernian controversy

The Gers making their long-awaited Scottish Premiership return to Ibrox was supposed to be an occasion of celebration after months of uncertainly but instead became a nervy grind for everyone.

Tom Lawrence's first-half winner – his second in as many league games – eventually proved to be the difference for Philippe Clement's side, but the Gers were pushed all the way by Hibs.

Bobby Madden Rangers Instagram

Having Butland to thank for keeping out Kuharevich's penalty – sparing Souttar's blushes in the process – shows that despite claiming another three points, the Gers are far from the finished article.

Had on-field referee Nick Walsh or VAR official Graham Grainger been of the "blinkered" opinion that Souttar should have received red, things could have proven to be a lot different in the second half.

But on Souttar stayed, and having played his part in weathering the visitors' storm to see out a fourth consecutive win and clean sheet since the international break, Clement has plenty to be pleased about.

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