Rangers Women Exclusive: Keith Hackett hits out at controversial Ibrox footage
Rangers Women fell to a calamitous defeat against Hibernian Women on the final day of the Scottish Women’s Premier League 1 season.
Jo Potter’s side knew heading into Sunday’s (18 May) match that they needed to beat Hibs if they were to overtake their opponents and finish top.
However, in front of an expectant crowd, Rangers lost 1-0 to Hibs at Ibrox and ultimately finished third rather than top.
It has led to huge questions being asked of Potter and her side, having chucked away a serious opportunity to win major silverware.
Rangers v Hibernian officials get major call wrong
A big call late in the contest saw Laura Rafferty sent off as the Gers were chasing a goal.
Rafferty fouled Kathleen McGovern just inside the Rangers half, yet it was deemed the denial of a goalscoring opportunity, and therefore a red card.
| Rangers Women | Hibernian Women | |
| Shots | 17 | 12 |
| Shots on target | 4 | 3 |
| Possession | 60% | 40% |
| Passes | 353 | 250 |
However, former FIFA official Keith Hackett – speaking exclusively to Ibrox News – believes the officials got the decision wrong.
Reacting to footage shown of the incident, as shared by Sky Sports Football on X (18 May), Hackett said: “This is a poor decision that does not meet the criteria of the denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity.
“The law criteria asks for a number of factors to be taken into consideration, including distance between the offence and goal, plus the location and number of defenders.
“The distance from goal is a long way out and there is a covering defender in midfield that would in my opinion be able to put in a challenge.
“A yellow card for unsporting behaviour in stopping a promising attack should have been the sanction. It’s certainly not a red card for DOGSO.“
Potter can have no complaints as Rangers Women slip up
While the officials may have got this decision badly wrong, there were just seconds remaining and it’s unlikely it changed the outcome of the match.
Indeed, Rangers Women needed two goals, which on the basis of the previous 90 minutes was never going to happen.
This was a terrible day for Potter and her side, but thankfully they have a chance to prove themselves next weekend when they face Glasgow City in the Scottish Cup final.