PHILIPPE Clement today expressed hope that VAR will make “very correct” calls in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final against Celtic after Rangers were denied a penalty in their 3-3 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle.
The Ibrox club, whose slim chances of being crowned Scottish champions ended on Wednesday night when Celtic beat Kilmarnock at Rugby Park to move six points clear of them with a game remaining, ended their cinch Premiership campaign on a disappointing note in Gorgie.
James Tavernier and his team mates, who gone 3-1 ahead in the second-half thanks to Ross McCausland, Todd Cantwell and Fabio Silva strikes, surrendered a two goal lead in the closing stages of the encounter and were held to a 3-3 draw.
Clement confessed that he was disappointing that referee Don Robertson and VAR official David Dickinson did not award the visitors a spot kick early on after Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers had his shirt tugged by Hearts centre half Frankie Kent in the hosts’ six yard box.
The Belgian, whose charges can complete a cup double if they overcome their city rivals for the first time this term at Hampden a week today, is optimistic the match officials will get their decisions right in the final.
“That's not my job and still I am a fan of VAR. If that is the case clearly the decision-making should be better. That is a detail in this game. I expect on Saturday it will be very correct.”
Rangers finished the Premiership eight points behind Celtic after 38 games – but Clement remains confident the Ibrox club can beat the newly-crowned Scottish champions in the cup final and end the 2023/24 season on a huge high.
“In one game, everything is possible,” he said. “In the three games I’ve had against them, we got a draw and lost the other two 2-1 at Celtic Park when we played a big part of those games with 10 men.
“Every time, it was really tight. I know my players will go full in this last game to give the fans something special. That’s why I believe we can win it.”
