Dermot Gallagher claims the ‘worst thing happened’ in Rangers refereeing decison vs Hearts
Rangers were beaten by Hearts at Ibrox for the first time in 11 years, but the referee played a huge part in the result.
Russell Martin’s side were nowhere near good enough on the day, and Rangers have now failed to win in five league games under their failing manager.
However, they were subjected to poor decisions from the referee and VAR team, as Lawrence Shankland scored a controversial brace, while Derek Cornelius had a goal disallowed.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has now had his say on the incidents, and he feels that Rangers were truly hard done by.
Dermot Gallagher criticises refereeing in Rangers defeat
Many have had different opinions on Shankland’s first goal, which included an alleged handball offence in the build-up to his first-half finish.
Keith Hackett claimed that the decision was a fair one, with the ball hitting Shankland’s armband, but Gallagher has now disagreed.
- The ball richocheted off Shankland’s arm as he dribbled through the Rangers midfield, before exchanging passes and finishing off to give Hearts the lead.
- Shankland’s penalty was also a controversial decision, while Rangers’ goal should not have been ruled out.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Gallagher claimed that the worst possible outcome happened with regard to Shankland’s handball.
“I think Rangers had more than their fair share of bad luck in this game to be honest,” Gallagher stated.
“I think that’s handball, it’s not seen by the referee.
“Of course, the worst thing happened, didn’t it, they scored. That’s the consequence of the decision.”
Steven McLean delivered refereeing shocker in Rangers defeat
While VAR can be questioned for not overturning the referee’s decisions, Steven McLean should have seen the handball incident and stopped play anyway, according to former Premier League star Jay Bothroyd.
“I can’t understand how he hasn’t seen that though. He’s what, seven or eight yards away, it’s glaring to see, his body is facing it. I don’t understand how the referees don’t see it,” Bothroyd added on Sky.
“If players can see it and appeal, why can’t referees see it. That one should never have been a goal.”
Martin and his players have been heavily criticised for the defeat, and while their performance as a collective was well below par, they were certainly not helped by the poor refereeing decisions on display.
With better officiating, Rangers could have won 1-0, but instead they fell to another defeat, which is likely to rule them out of the title race.
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