Another Monday, another round of bickering over referee decisions on the Hotline.
Rangers ’ spot kick award in Sunday’s 3-0 Scottish Cup win at Dundee, after James Tavernier was bundled over by Ryan Sweeney, sparked the latest round of official strife.
Think VAR will solve all this? Well think again, with half the callers still arguing over the video assistants’ decision to award a penalty when Ryan Kent went down in the Ibrox side’s Europa League win over Red Star last week.
John Caw kicked us off when he emailed: “Watching the Rangers game against Dundee, my son jokingly said ‘here’s the penalty coming’. I couldn’t believe my eyes when Steven McLean pointed to the spot. Unbelievable. Those who say Celtic get all the breaks should be hiding their faces in shame.”
But Joe Smith, Coleraine, said: “Looks like the referees have unanimously voted to allow all opposition players to kick lumps out of Rangers players without getting a booking. What a difference to watch Rangers playing in Europe with honest referees.”
George Wilson, West Sussex, said: “It’s been comical but pathetic the way Celtic supporters, ex-players and pundits have tried to diminish Rangers’ excellent performances in Europe. If you foul an opponent in the penalty box or commit handball it’s a penalty. Offside goals don’t count. Scoring goals from dead ball situations do count. Saving the opponent’s penalty counts. Rangers are good in Europe because their opponents play football and not the 10 in defence guff we get in Scotland most weeks and we get proper refereeing decisions.”
But Ian Melrose, Edinburgh, claimed: “I warned people on the Hotline about the Ryan Kent ‘flick-kick trick’ when Hibs were mugged by the same means when he deliberately ran into Ryan Porteous’ foot. Raheem sterling done exactly the same until referees sussed him out and I am fed up of Rangers supporters paranoia when fans of every club in Scotland agree they benefit the most from referee mistakes.”
And Gordon Ashley, Ayr, said: “Who are Rangers fans trying to kid with their comments over Ryan Kent’s latest blatant dive against Red Star? It’s time our referees woke up to this as he is almost certain to try this con act in the games against Celtic in the title run in.”
VAR then anyone?
Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “Rangers fans asking for VAR is just hilarious it wouldn’t be a week till they were moaning about the VAR officials are against them. They might as well sell James Tavernier because there won’t be any penalties for him to take.”
Dave Andrews, Coatbridge, added: “VAR will not solve the problem. Football fans, especially Old Firm fans, see what they want to see. When VAR is introduced it's only a matter of time before an Old firm fan will try to go to court as they will claim to have video evidence that their team has been cheated.”
Rangers have one foot firmly in the Europa League quarter final but they shouldn’t treat Red Star lightly even if they have a 3-0 advantage heading to the Marakana. That’s the warning from our resident Hotline doctor who claims to have inside knowledge of the Serbs.
Dr Robert S Pender emailed: “Having lived and worked in Belgrade and treated Red Star players, the task for Rangers will be huge. The mentality of Red Star means they will attack from the first second with passion. All decisions will go their way. Rangers must come out of the blocks fast to nullify Red Star. No matter what Rangers do the support will not be silenced.”
Finally, John Scott, Grassmoor, hit out at the Hibs thugs who marred Sunday’s Scottish Cup win at Motherwell by smashing up seats in the away end. A steward was also injured by a missile.
And John said: “In a week when our supporters were lauded for their financial efforts towards Ukraine, about a dozen immature clowns tried to undo that good work with their pathetic behaviour at Motherwell. Way to go lads, you must be so proud of yourselves. It surely won't be too difficult to identify them by their allocated seat numbers. A testimony to how stupid they are.”
