Ex-FIFA official reacts to Triantis flashpoint in Rangers v Hibs, 'it's the force and the intensity'

Referee Nick Walsh was right to only award a yellow card to Hibernian midfielder Nectarios Triantis for a strong challenge on Rangers defender Robin Propper, Dermot Gallagher has said.

The Australian midfielder was only cautioned for a strong challenge on Propper during Rangers' 1-0 win at Ibrox on Sunday (29 September), despite the crowd baying for a red.

VAR did review the incident but were content with Walsh's initial decision and no further action was taken.

Former Premier League and FIFA referee Gallagher, speaking on Sky Sports News' 'Ref Watch' segment (30 September), felt it was the right course of action.

"I think yellow card. He gets the ball as well, it's the force and the intensity the referee yellow cards him for but he doesn't go over the top of the ball and he doesn't land with his studs planted on the shin."

Flashpoints in Rangers win over Hibernian

Tom Lawrence's stunner was enough for Rangers to emerge victorious over Hibs on Sunday but it was not always plain sailing and there were plenty of talking points.

Triantis' challenge on Propper is one you could probably file in the category of "orange" card. His studs were down and he took a lot of the ball, but it was quite an excessive challenge that could have done damage to Propper.

Erring on the side of caution was probably the right decision and ultimately Rangers ran out victors, though that needed Jack Butland to save Mykola Kukharevych's penalty after John Souttar was pinged for handball in the penalty area.

On a different day, these decisions could have cost Rangers but, as it was, they managed to get over the line and secure the three points so the flashpoints were not as contentious as they perhaps could have been, which is a relief to Philippe Clement and the Gers faithful.

In other Rangers news, Bobby Madden fumed about what was said about one incident in the Hibs game.

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