Keith Hackett: Steven McLean turned ‘blind eye’ to Rangers penalty incident vs Motherwell
Rangers should have had a penalty in their 1-1 draw with Motherwell, Keith Hackett has said.
Rangers were interested in Elliot Watt in the winter transfer market, and it was the midfielder who fouled Youssef Chermiti in the Fir Park clash.
However, Steven McLean did not give the spot kick, despite the clumsy challenge in the Scottish Premiership contest on 11 February.
Former PGMOL chief Hackett believes his decision was the wrong one.
- Read More: Rangers vs Motherwell ref watch: Three decisions Steven McLean got horribly wrong at Fir Park
What did Hackett say about Rangers penalty incident?
The incident occurred on the stroke of half-time, but McLean did not give the Ibrox side a chance to double their lead.
However, Hackett thinks that it was a clumsy challenge and it should have been punished, with the Light Blues having the chance to go two goals to the good.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, he said: “If referees are going to turn a blind eye to these challenges and make no decision, they will continue to increase.
“Award a penalty kick for what is clearly a careless challenge.”
What is Steven McLean’s history with Rangers?
McLean has a strenuous history with the Gers, which may have factored into his decision-making when he did not give the latest call in their favour.
He phoned Steven Gerrard to apologise in 2019 after 1-1 draw with Hibernian, in which he missed a foul on James Tavernier, that allowed Hibs to equalise.
Former Bears striker Kris Boyd labelled his appointment as the video assistant referee for the May 2024 clash with Celtic as “staggering”.
| Stats | McLean |
| Matches | 58 |
| Wins | 35 |
| Draws | 9 |
| Losses | 14 |
| Yellow cards | 98 |
| Red cards | 6 |
The Sky Sports pundit claimed that either Greg Aitken or Andrew Dallas, should have been used as the VAR for that clash instead, in a column before the game.
In the Gers’ defeat to Hearts in September, McLean, acting as referee, ruled out a Derek Cornelius strike due to a supposed foul by Thelo Aasgaard, and Hackett told Ibrox News that the decision was “extremely harsh.”
In the same game, he allowed a Lawrence Shankland strike that made clear contact with his arm before he scored, which Willie Collum later admitted should have been ruled out.
One thing is for sure, Gers supporters will not want to see McLean anywhere near their games after his latest howler.
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