Saint or sinner? Sporting integrity or needless generosity? Rangers boss Michael Beale’s decision to ‘give’ Partick Thistle a goal after Malik Tillman’s controversial strike on Sunday has been lauded by most fans.
But it’s left a select few on the Hotline, well err, Bealing. Martin Baird, Glasgow, said: “Every Rangers fan should be proud of our club for acting with class and sportsmanship in this Tillman goal mix-up situation. We know that other, less principled clubs, perhaps more desperate for victory at any cost, might have acted differently. Rangers should be applauded by all.”
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, agreed, saying: “That was certainly the highest standard of pure sportsmanship I've ever seen, considering what was at stake and the pressure he must have been under. What Beale did was an act of fair play and decency.” However, Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “So Rangers will be the heroes after letting Partick score a goal and fair play.
"But bottom line is if you don’t cheat in the first place you wouldn’t have to do it and don’t tell me he never knew. I’m not buying it.”
And Lewis Fotheringham emailed: “What a farce. There was nothing wrong with our second goal, it was just a matter of the Partick player losing control of the ball. Beale awarded Partick Thistle’s goal.”
Tillman’s goal and the Jags’ equaliser wasn’t the only talking point either in a rip-roaring contest that saw both sides awarded a controversial penalty. Rob McNab, Dunoon, said: “What to say about Gers v Thistle? Atrocious refereeing throughout and from VAR.
"Both penalties should not have been awarded and countless other terrible decisions. I feel for Tillman, nothing at all wrong with his goal, the ball was back in play and he is perfectly entitled to challenge for it. The Partick players’ assault on Tillman after this was a disgrace, more disgraceful refereeing to take no action on them.”
Steve MacLeod, Wokingham, said: “Another poor weekend for VAR, I didn’t think either penalty at Ibrox was the right call, but rather than dwell on that yet again can we congratulate Thistle on an excellent performance in arguably our most entertaining game of the season and Beale on terrific sportsmanship.”
Meanwhile Bobby Pollock, Croftfoot, hit out: “Thistle captain Kevin Holt should have seen red for his assault on Malik Tillman after his goal regardless of what he thought Tillman had done.”
Beale’s team selection also came in for criticism with Rangers fan Willie Mercer, Dumfries, saying: “I've given Beale my 100 per cent support, especially when he explained putting out a team every week with minimal changes in order that they build an understanding of how he wants them to play. Then he makes six changes against Thistle. We got out of jail and all down to erratic changes to his starting line up. He needs questioned on this.”
Dr Robert Pender enjoyed Thistle’s performance at Ibrox but was less than impressed with the actions of their board after full-time as Ian McCall was sensationally sacked. He emailed: “What a way to treat an honest experienced manager. Shame on the decision makers in their part on sacking the manager. I predict the effect on the players will be major. They will fall apart with no promotion. You reap what you sow.”
McCall was the second Scottish manager in as many days to get the bullet after Steven Hammell’s time in charge at Motherwell was brought to an end after their cup exit at Raith. John Charteris, Forres, said: “Motherwell's board a CEO should be ashamed the way they let down Stevie Hammell.
"Were they the only ones that didn't see the trouble that the team and Stevie were in long before Christmas? Why didn't they bring an experienced man in like John Hughes to advise and encourage Stevie for a couple of years? Hammell will be good manager in time but Motherwell didn't give him either the time, help or encouragement when he needed it.”
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