Kris Boyd reacts to Rangers controversy v Motherwell – ‘Fortunate’
Kris Boyd believes Jack Butland was fortunate to have seen his own goal in the 2-2 draw between Motherwell and Rangers disallowed on Sunday.
With the scoreline reading 2-1 at Fir Park on 29 December, the Steelmen thought they had grabbed their third when Butland botched a punch and turned the ball into his net after a corner.
However, the celebrations were cut short as Kevin Clancy immediately adjudged the goalkeeper to have been fouled and VAR refused to intervene.
Boyd reckons Butland would consider himself lucky after the goal was disallowed.
He said on The Scottish Sun’s Go Ballistic podcast (30 December): “I think Jack Butland will probably look back and think he was a little bit fortunate to get away with the punch.
“It could quite easily be given as a goal.”
Boyd, though, added that Lennon Miller could also have easily been sent off for his reckless challenge on Oscar Cortes.
“The same as Lennon Miller, we’ve seen them be given as red cards, there’s no getting away from it”, the pundit said.
“Listen, I don’t think Lennon went into hurt Raskin, I think it was Raskin [ed. Cortes;], but he hit the top of the ball and went through him.
“That is what happens when you go to the ground.”
Jack Butland a lucky man in Motherwell v Rangers
Clancy’s refereeing became a major topic point after at least four controversial decisions emerged in the 2-2 draw at Fir Park.
The Gers believe Apostolos Stamatelopoulos’ opener should have been cancelled for handball, while Motherwell saw another second-half goal disallowed for offside.
SFA’s Key Match Incident panel have since reviewed each of those incidents, but only flagged one decision as “incorrect” – that being Butland’s disallowed own goal.
Three of the five members on the panel believe VAR should have recommended Clancy for an on-field review instead of sticking with his on-field decision.
Therefore, Philippe Clement and co cannot have any complaints about dropping two more points in the Scottish Premiership.
They now find themselves sitting 14 points behind Celtic, who could extend the gap by another three points with a win at Ibrox on Thursday, 2 January.
Clement, though, will be hopeful that there are no refereeing controversies in that game as he looks to keep his job in Govan.
In other Rangers news, Stephen Warnock has hit back at a Sky Sports host after what he said about another controversy in the same game.
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