Keith Hackett exclusive: VAR gets Rangers vs Hearts controversy spot on

Rangers were second best throughout as they were beaten 2-0 by Hearts at Ibrox, and they have now failed to win in five league games.

Russell Martin was heavily booed by the Ibrox crowd as his side disappointed again and failed to find the back of the net at home.

Lawrence Shankland has made Rangers regret not signing him as he scored a brace to put them to the sword, but there was controversy over the first goal.

VAR checked a potential handball from Shankland in the build-up to the goal, but did not overturn the decision, allowing his first-half strike against Rangers to stand, and the decision has now been explained.

This article contains exclusive opinion from former FIFA referee Keith Hackett.

Keith Hackett explains Lawrence Shankland VAR decision

Martin slammed the decision to allow the goal to stand after the game, but the under-fire Rangers manager may not have much of a case to be annoyed.

Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, former FIFA referee Keith Hackett explained why the incident did not meet the VAR threshold to be overturned.

• Shankland drove through the midfield in the build-up to the goal, with the ball appearing to ricochet off his arm.
• After linking up with Claudio Braga, Shankland found space away from Mohamed Diomande and finished into the bottom corner.

"This fails to fulfil for me that it was a deliberate handball, and because the replays lack the clarity to reach the threshold for intervention by VAR, there has been no intervention," Hackett explained over Shankland's goal.

Neil McCann also echoed Hackett's view as he pointed out that the decision was not clear enough to be overturned by VAR.

• Read more: Russell Martin ‘beyond point of no return’ as Rangers sack now has to happen

Rangers left to rue Lawrence Shankland mistake

While Bojan Miovski was far from the worst problem for Rangers, their transfer business as a whole can fall under a lot of scrutiny.

Kevin Thelwell has gambled on Youssef Chermiti for a huge fee, with the unproven striker a shock signing at the end of the window, and many are sceptical about whether he can live up to his price tag.

Rangers had the chance to sign Shankland for free, but he ended up staying at Hearts and is now thriving under Derek McInnes.

Shankland's all-action display was the difference between the two teams, and regardless of any refereeing controversy, it is clear that he could have been a proven asset for Rangers upfront.

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