Hutton cannot believe Michael Stewart reaction to latest Rangers controversy
Rangers limped to a 2-2 draw at Hibernian in their final game of the Scottish Premiership season, but in very controversial circumstances.
Nicolas Raskin was furious as the midfielder thought he had scored in the first half at Easter Road, only for it not to be awarded, despite the ball appearing to cross the line.
Rangers had nothing to play for in the game, but they were still angry at yet another dreadful decision, with VAR and the Scottish FA blaming a lack of evidence.
Michael Stewart was unimpressed with some of the defending on display from his old side, but he has now been slammed for his view on the Raskin controversy.
Alan Hutton slams Stewart over Raskin goal controversy
In the days that followed, Stewart defended the decision not to award Raskin a goal, and former Rangers defender Alan Hutton could not believe it.
“Get out of here,” Hutton joked when Stewart admitted he had sympathy for the officials on the Scottish Football Social Club podcast (20 May).
“Do you think it was a goal? It’s hit the side netting,” Hutton added.
Stewart then defended his stance, admitting that it should have been given a goal.
| Stats in all competitions (2024/25) | Nicolas Raskin |
| Appearances | 48 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 11 |
“It’s a goal. I’ve said it all along. But I have some sympathy for the referee.
“Look at Raskin there, he’s got his hands on his head. In real time, you don’t know definitively, it happens so quickly, and it’s not way over.
“Once you look at it on VAR, it’s highlighting the deficiencies of the system without goal line technology. It needs to be 100 per cent certain that it’s over the line. I’m about 90 per cent certain.”
Scotland needs goal-line technology amid Rangers controversy
The English Premier League has had goal-line technology in place for several seasons to a resounding success, and it would solve issues such as the Raskin incident immediately.
Even the Championship has it in England, and that shows how far behind the Scottish FA are, with Keith Hackett calling on Willie Collum to take action.
Scotland needs to catch up if they are to evolve as a league. Right now, the product is poor, with the constant refereeing controversies ruining the viewing experience and causing outrage throughout.
Raskin’s goal appeared over the line, but from the angle where the referee was standing, it was tough to say for certain, with VAR proving worthless too.
It was a poor decision, but had the Scottish Premiership had goal-line technology in place, the referee would not have been placed in a position where he would have had a decision to make.
More needs to be done, and if the clubs want it, they’re going to have to pay for it.