James McFadden baffled by Stuart Findlay penalty controversy in Rangers vs Hearts – ‘There’s no doubt’
Stuart Findlay was hugely fortunate not to give away a penalty in the Rangers win against Hearts on Sunday.
The Gers secured a massive three points against the Maroons to keep their Scottish Premiership title hopes alive.
Pressure surrounded Danny Rohl’s side pre-match after Celtic scored a late, late winner to secure a 3-2 victory against Kilmarnock.
A 4-2 win over Hearts has sent the Light Blues back above their Old Firm rivals after a tense affair against Derek McInnes’ men.
Things could have been so much easier for the Govan club in the end if they had been awarded a penalty against Findlay.
James McFadden wanted Rangers penalty vs Hearts
The hosts eventually got the job done against the league leaders, although it was far from easy after falling behind on two occasions.
Youssef Chermiti made a huge impact in a massive game once again, with his goals the difference between one point and three in G51.
The Portuguese forward grabbed a hattrick, netting his third as a superb run from Djeidi Gassama opened up space for him to find the corner.
He may have picked up the matchball long before that moment if he had been afforded the chance from the penalty spot in Govan.
Findlay arguably should have been penalised by referee Don Robertson after heading the ball onto his own arm inside the penalty area.
The controversial call was reviewed by VAR, but the original decision was echoed, much to the frustration of James McFadden, live on Sky Sports.
He said: “It looked to me as if he’d headed it onto his arm. I think he does. I don’t know why he doesn’t get the contact he’s looking for with his head, Stuart Findlay.
“He’s in acres of space, and there’s no doubt he heads it onto his hand.“
Youssef Chermiti made Stuart Findlay call irrelevant
Sometimes in football, you need a bit of luck, and it’s fair to say that the Gers didn’t get that when the ball bounced off Findlay’s arm inside the box.
Penalties aren’t typically given for those moments anymore, but there was every chance it could have been on another day.
Rohl’s men could have felt hard done by and sat back to lick their wounds, but they didn’t, as Chermiti went on a mission to get that match ball.
The much-maligned striker scored three to secure three points on a massive day for the Light Blues, as he made sure that any controversy could be forgotten.
It would have been interesting to see what Rohl made of the call if his side hadn’t won, but he won’t care now.
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