Rangers v Hearts: Ex UEFA official left stunned at controversial incident
Des Roache was surprised at the incident involving Rangers defender Clinton Nsiala against Hearts on Sunday.
Gers won the game 3-1 on Sunday at Tynecastle but the scoreline could’ve been a lot different if the visitors were handed a penalty.
Nsiala appeared to push James Wilson to the floor in the second period, but John Beaton did not point to the spot and neither did VAR intervene.
Steven McLean who was the VAR for the game, certainly looked at the incident, but felt there was not much for it to be overturned.
Des Roache shares if Rangers were lucky against Hearts
Roache, a former UEFA official, stated that it was a clear penalty and that he was surprised it wasn’t given.
In his view, the 21-year-old clearly had both hands on Wilson’s back and pushed him to the ground inside the penalty area.
He told the Daily Record: “It’s very clear, it’s a penalty. Nsiala has got two hands quite clearly on Wilson’s back. It doesn’t matter where the ball is or what’s happening, he’s completely impeded the player having any attempt to go for the ball. Nsiala was never going to get the ball anyway, but the fact he’s pushed him through the back with two hands – it’s a foul.
“I’m very surprised (VAR didn’t get involved). Steven McLean was the VAR, he’s obviously very experienced. I’m very surprised he didn’t get involved. Most right-minded people watching football would expect a penalty for that.
“It’s two hands in the back. It’s a foul in the penalty area. If it happened outside the penalty area, it’s a foul. Penalty kick, all day long, one hundred per cent.”
Clinton Nsiala is fortunate to not have conceded a penalty against Hearts
This decision was one of those clear-and-obvious ones and this one wasn’t in that territory so the VAR did not ask the referee to intervene.
The problem with that terminology is that it becomes subjective and it goes down to what the referee gives.
Had he pointed to the spot, as Roache stated, a penalty would’ve been given and the VAR would not have enough to overturn it.
There were two hands on the back of Wilson and Nsiala should be careful inside the penalty area as these things can be viewed differently by different officials.
Even in the aftermath of the game, there were two different viewpoints and both sides have plenty of merit to their claims.
It’s the kind of decision that if it goes against you, you have every right to be fuming but if it goes your way, you feel vindicated given past decisions have gone against you.
That said, Gers will be delighted that they can return to winning ways after the horrific defeat to Queen’s Park in the cup.
While it may not really take the pressure off Clement, it will certainly offer him some breathing room.