Neil McCann reacts instantly to Motherwell v Rangers controversy live on air
Rangers were wronged by the referees as Apostolos Stamatelopoulous gave Motherwell the leave at Fir Park on Sunday, according to Neil McCann.
Stamatelopoulous gave Motherwell the lead against the Light Blues 16 minutes into their game on 29 December despite the visitors wanting the goal ruled out for a handball.
The ball brushed off the one-time Australia international’s arm in the lead-up to the goal and former Gers ace and pundit McCann initially thought there was not enough to deem it a handball.
“This is a mess here, it will be checked because I’m not sure if there is a little bump, was there, that Kevin Clancy had a little look at”, McCann said on Sky Sports Football Live (29 December, 3:18 pm).
“Does it come off his hand just as it comes down there? I don’t think it’s a handball.”
However, he changed his stance upon seeing the footage again and said: “It does come off the lower arm, doesn’t it? It’s right tucked against the body, but we know that if he scores from that, it will be called off.”
The goal, though, was given after a VAR check to McCann’s surprise.
“Well, it will be interesting that because I felt that came off the lower part of the arm”, he said.
“I know it’s tucked into the body and maybe that it’s allowed, but Stamatelopoulous is not complaining.”
Philippe Clement in trouble as Motherwell double lead v Rangers
Philippe Clement made seven changes to his Rangers starting line-up in a bid to bounce back from the 2-1 defeat against St. Mirren on Boxing Day (Thursday, 26 December).
However, those brave decisions are backfiring as Motherwell have taken a two-goal lead against the Glasgow giants.
Less than 20 minutes after Stamatelopoulous opened the scoring, Tawanda Maswanhise doubled the lead for the hosts with a stunning strike from the centre of the box.
Clement and co now face an uphill battle to come from behind and claim all three points at Fir Park.
The Gers started the game on the front foot with Cyriel Dessers having an early sight of goal after Ridvan Yilmaz found him with a splendid cross.
However, the Nigeria international failed to convert the chance and it allowed Motherwell to take advantage.
Robin Propper and Dujon Sterling were notably the guilty parties in the leadup to Stamatelopoulos’ goal, although they will feel hard done by the officials.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues have been accused of playing the victim as the next Ibrox casualty is mooted.
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