As the dust settles on Rangers’ Hampden heartbreak, a new era is quietly being ushered in at Ibrox.
The Rangers support and the club’s manager Philippe Clement are furious after the Gers were denied a blatant penalty in the eventual defeat in the Premier Sports Cup Final against their eternal rivals.
Clement has asked journalists to investigate why the VAR room never pulled the decision back and it’s a moment which has marred an all-time classic in Glasgow.
But whilst Rangers, once again, never lifted the trophy, new CEO Patrick Stewart and club chairman Fraser Thornton have just seen tackling these honest Old Firm mistakes shoot to the top of their agenda.
VAR officiating of Old Firm matches under spotlight
It’s not just the penalty kick that Rangers have the right to feel incensed about.
Whilst Vaclav Cerny was clearly being pulled in the box by Liam Scales before a free kick was awarded, Nicolas Kuhn also appeared to trip Mohamed Diomande ahead of Celtic’s third goal.
How neither was picked up by VAR is an embarrassment to Scottish football but it’s not in keeping with the forensic analysis our officials appear to apply when it comes to decisions that go against Celtic.
Rangers famously had a Cyriel Dessers goal disallowed for an earlier foul in the build during that 3-3 draw at Ibrox last season, whilst the club had an Abdallah Sima goal harshly chalked off in the Scottish Cup Final.
Cyriel Dessers’ perfectly fair tackle on Gustav Lagiebielke last season also led to a Kemar Roofe strike being ruled out ahead of a 1-0 defeat that ultimately cost Michael Beale his job.
There was even that Alfredo Morelos goal at Parkhead, where the striker had a header unfairly chopped off after a dive by Alistair Johnston.
Even at Hampden this weekend, a solid Rangers penalty shout was turned away for an earlier foul in the box.
It certainly feels like our officials will do everything they can to appease Celtic in their decision-making, taking their time when calls go against the Parkhead side but rushing decisions which might go in their favour.
This isn’t about Rangers getting decisions they don’t deserve. It’s about officials getting the big calls right, something they are consistently failing to do.
The scale of the issues in recent Old Firm matches have become so common that fans – and Philippe Clement – are asking serious questions about the integrity of the situation.
Now, it’s on the new powers that be at Rangers to follow suit.
Rangers must challenge Celtic referee narrative
Both Patrick Stewart and Fraser Thornton begin their jobs at Rangers this morning. Both are already under pressure to represent the club on this issue.
Rangers and their supporters feel like Celtic are a protected species in this fixture and that the culture surrounding referees in Scotland ensure the big decisions routinely go in their favour.
Years of fan pressure, conspiracy theories and sycophantic press coverage have allowed this unsportsmanlike culture to develop and it is now having a tangible impact on season-defining matches.
Rangers are now a crucial juncture.
Fans want the club to publicly represent them on this issue and whilst we don’t expect, nor would we endorse, Stewart and Thornton coming in trigger happy this morning, it’s a burning issue that requires immediate attention.
We as a club have got to demand better and that these decisions are taken fairly and competently.
It should not be too much to ask. In Scotland it unfortunately is.
Rangers have lacked strong leadership in this department and by assessing the situation and actively challenging it, the club’s new leadership structure have the opportunity to score an early goal with the fans.
Of course, it needs to be done the right way, that’s what they’re in the Ibrox boardroom and supporters are in the stands.
But this has got to be the final straw and the last time we’re reflecting on an Old Firm match where officials have played a massive role in guiding Celtic to victory.
Related Posts
