Kilmarnock v Rangers controversy: Dermot Gallagher reacts to footage he’s been shown
Rangers secured a much-needed win against Kilmarnock on Wednesday but three points didn’t come without its controversy, which Dermot Gallagher has now commented on.
Rangers’ stand-in head coach Barry Ferguson secured his first victory in interim charge of the Govan club at Rugby Park on 26 February.
Goals from Vaclav Cerny, Cyriel Dessers (two) and Nedim Bajrami were the difference after Killie took a 2-0 lead with less than 15 minutes gone at Rugby Park.
It was the Light Blues’ equaliser that Derek McInnes and Co. took issue with and has now been responded to by Gallagher.
Gallagher reacts to Ianis Hagi corner controversy v Kilmarnock
The away side got one back before half time through Cerny, which helped turn the tide after the interval.
Whatever Ferguson said in the dressing room at the break certainly worked as the Gers levelled the scores with just eight minutes gone in the second half.
This came from a corner as Dessers’ free header proved to be too much for Kieran O’Hara to deal with.
This wasn’t without its controversy as Hagi won the set-piece with an effort which he claimed had taken a nick of a Killie player before going out.
Match official Don Robertson initially pointed for a goal kick before changing his mind and awarding a contentious corner ball.
Former Premier League referee Gallagher believes the referee was right in his decision, which has only come under the microscope due to the equaliser.
Reacting to footage he was shown of the incident live on Sky Sports News (27 February), Gallagher said: “This is one of two in Scotland last night that it becomes consequence rather than decision made.
“I do think this is a corner. It does strike the defender. The referee gives a goal kick but he’s probably had some input and he gives a corner. It becomes a talking point because they scored from it.”
Rangers must ignore controversy v Kilmarnock
Although the Light Blues’ equaliser came about in controversial circumstances, it is fair to say that the travelling side deserved the win in the end.
The opening 20 minutes at Rugby Park were poor and dominated by McInnes’ side before the Gers finally snapped into gear.
The second-half showing in particular from Ferguson’s men was superb and was met with a great reaction from supporters.
| Stat | Kilmarnock | Rangers |
| Possession | 39 | 61 |
| Big chances created | 3 | 5 |
| Accurate passes | 162 | 350 |
| Defensive actions | 23 | 19 |
Even if the referee had opted to give a goal kick and put an end to any hope of Dessers scoring from the eventual corner, it is safe to assume the Govan club would have equalised sooner rather than later.
As a result, the noise around this controversy is surely destined to die down quickly as the Bears look ahead to a clash against Motherwell on Saturday (1 March).