Scottish FA release statement on Rangers v St Mirren controversy
Rangers suffered a horror show at Ibrox against St Mirren as their winning Scottish Premiership run came to an end.
The 2-0 defeat on Saturday (22 February) cast a huge cloud over Govan with boos ringing around the stadium following the final whistle, among the hardy souls who had stayed to the end.
Controversy spread over the opener for the visitors, as Mikael Mandron raced through and fired past Jack Butland after the hapless Clinton Nsiala had gone to ground.
SFA clear up St Mirren goal controversy
The Scottish FA were quick to sum up their view on the Mandron goal, as Rangers were left stunned and supporters seething.
The strike was subject to a lengthy VAR review, which some assumed was to ascertain whether Nsiala had been fouled by the striker or whether he had tripped himself up.
In fact, the check was for a possible offside, with it being quickly concluded that Nsiala had gone to ground without intervention from Mandron.
“No contact was made by the attacker, so no foul,” the statement read, as published by BBC Sport (16:22).
“The delay was due to checking a potential offside.”
It was not the only controversial VAR call on the day, after an initial red card for Hamza Igamane was earlier overturned.
Toyosi Olusanya put the result beyond doubt with 20 minutes remaining with a second for St Mirren, who remain inside the top half of the table.
Rangers fans pray for takeover for Clement sack
The general consensus of the Rangers fans in the wake of the result on Saturday is the hope a takeover agreement can soon be reached.
Many supporters believe the US-based consortium, who have been in advanced talks to buy Rangers for some time, will be ruthless in their approach and start with a blank canvas.
That would include sacking Philippe Clement, who had seen short-term pressure ease with five straight league wins but was hit like a train after the Scottish Cup defeat by Queen’s Park, and now this result at Ibrox.
Clement appears to have taken Rangers as far as he can and will know deep down it has been nowhere near good enough. A fresh start is required.
Should a new regime take over anytime soon and be willing to stump up pay-offs and a potential compensation fee for a replacement, one would think Clement and his staff’s days are numbered.