Dermot Gallagher says Michael Beale showed he was a "gentleman" by allowing Partick Thistle to score an uncontested equaliser after Malik Tillman's controversial goal.
And the former whistler says the handshake between Beale and Partick Thistle boss Ian McCall after the incident showed the whole thing was handled with "class." Rangers came from behind to send Thistle out of the Scottish Cup but Beale told his players to let the Championship side equalise after Tillman took the ball from unsuspecting Kevin Holt as he attempted to give them the ball back following an injury stoppage.
It was Bayern Munich loanee Tillman who was down injured so didn't see Antonio Colak put the ball out of play and Beale said it was simply a misunderstanding. Gallagher, speaking on Sky Sports' Refwatch, says the Rangers boss handled himself with class and had nothing but praise for how the incident was dealt with.
He said: "The player's injured, Rangers kick the ball out, Partick take the throw and he doesn't get treated on the field (so doesn't have to go off). It's intercepted and ironically it's Tillman who was the player down.
"But Michael Beale being the gentleman he is, he tells his players to give them a goal back. If you follow it through from the goal, there's a wonderful cameo at the end. It's great sportsmanship and great for the young lad (Tiffoney) to get on the scoresheet, but it's when the manager (Ian McCall) goes to Michael Beale to shake his hand, that sums up the whole incident. He went and said 'I really appreciate that.' Class, absolute class."
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