Former top ref Stuart Dougal reckons Callum Davidson can have no complaints over the penalty given against his side at the weekend.
It was a game of three penalties as Hearts edged out St Johnstone 3-2 in Perth with the Lawrence Shankland opening the scoring from the spot after former Jambo Ryan McGowan handled Josh Ginnelly's cross. Saints went on to get two themselves, with Graham Carey missing one before Stevie May pulled one back from the spot, and Davidson was left bemused with some of the decisions - slamming the one given against his team as "ludicrous."
But Dougal, a retired SFA and FIFA referee who officiated two Scottish Cup finals in 2004 and 2008, reckons it was as clear a call as you will see. He was speaking with Richard Foster on the BBC's new VARdict show, and pundit-turned-presenter Foster opened by addressing the decision in question.
He said: "This is quite an easy one to start with, I don't think there will be much debate here. The ball comes into the box, Ginnelly flicks it, it clearly hits McGowan's hand, and even as a defender, I think it's a penalty."
And Dougal agreed: "Yeah, I don't think there's much debate there. Obviously it can be seen as being harsh if it goes against you, but the modern game nowadays, we've got VAR in there just confirming. It's a penalty kick."
Davidson's fury seemed directed more at the rule than Willie Collum's officiating itself as he said after the game: “For the first penalty on Wednesday, the Hearts player just chips it up and I’m not sure what Ryan is meant to do. And he gets booked for it as the referee says it’s a shot towards goal. That’s ludicrous as it was a flick.
“At the moment there are too many decisions being given for penalties and that changes games. If Graham had scored his penalty we would have been closer to getting back into the game.
“These big decisions are coming out and it’s hard. Referees are refereeing like they’re supposed to do it. But sometimes as a footballer you’re not sure how you’re meant to get your hand out of the way or what’s a natural position or making yourself bigger. If someone flicks the ball at your hand then the obvious thing for me is to move your hand away to try to avoid it and then if it hits your hand they’ll say it’s in an unnatural position.”
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