Credit: Sky Sports Football

Keith Hackett

Thu 27 February 2025 8:10, UK

Ianis Hagi was accused of cheating in Rangers’ 4-2 win over Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night.

Barry Ferguson saw his side come from two goals down to pick up all three points at Rugby Park courtesy of goals by Vaclav Cerny, a Cyriel Dessers brace and a late strike by Nedim Bajrami.

While it was a thrilling second period for the Light Blues, the first half was an aberration with Killie blasting into a two-goal lead and Hagi, 26, showing his desperation in a bid to win a penalty kick.

Hagi rolls around in Kilmarnock box in bid to win Rangers penalty

Hagi rolled around in the Kilmarnock box several times after trying to win a penalty towards the end of the first half at Rugby Park.

Sky Sports’ replays clearly show the Romania international leaning into Marley Watkins, who was obviously going to win the ball as it was cleared away from danger.

Watkins was lightly touched by Hagi, who then acted as though he’d been shot.

Former Premier League and FIFA-listed referee Keith Hackett hit out at Hagi’s antics, claiming Don Robertson should have booked the midfielder for trying to trick him.

“Hagi tactics in an effort to win a penalty kick,” Hackett told Ibrox News.

“He deserved a yellow card for a clear act of simulation where he attempted to deceive the referee.”

SFA officials to clamp down on play-acting

It’s almost every week now that we see Rangers players going down way too easily. Clinton Nsiala was caught doing it versus Hearts recently.

Hopefully, it’s something that Ferguson can root out of the side he’s inherited but, unfortunately, it’s a problem that is everywhere in football these days because match officials and higher powers don’t seem to bother punishing players for it.

Until Willie Collum and his team of SFA referees start taking retrospective action or getting VAR to take a look at incidents like the Hagi one, it’ll probably continue to be an issue.