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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Peter Davidson

The differing Ryan Kent red card verdicts as Aberdeen stance 'surprises' and Chris Sutton wades in

One of the main talking points among many following the Viaplay Cup semi-final between Aberdeen and Rangers on Sunday was Ryan Kent's clash with Liam Scales.

The incident in the 96th minute was missed by referee Nick Walsh, his on-field officials and VAR did not urge the whistler to the screen to review the injury time flashpoint. Aberdeen's centre back fell to the ground after the Gers winger lashed out on the halfway line as the Ibrox side attempted to secure a winner before the final whistle.

Opinions have been split on the incident with many Dons fans believing Kent should have been shown a straight red. VAR took centre stage once again on the biggest stage with the technology breaking down for five minutes. Both sets of supporters cheered ironically when the announcement of the system going down was made on the tannoy, while the same cheers echoed around Hampden when it came back online.

Pundits and those involved in the semi-final all agreed Anthony Stewart should have seen red for his reckless challenge on Rangers winger Fashion Sakala, however they were split on the Kent/Scales incident.

Jim Goodwin

The Aberdeen manager was asked about the incident in his post-match press conference and he was quick to say it wasn't a "major talking point". His view contradicted what many Dons fans thought in the ground and after seeing the footage of the incident when the final whistle went. On VAR breaking down he was of the view that 'these things happen', he said: "It was just a technical issue. I think that can happen at any stage in any country in the world."

Chris Sutton

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton took to social media saying Kent would "very lucky" to escape being punished further down the line for the clash on the half way line. He tweeted: "VAR didn’t work as it should north or south of the border at the weekend. Ryan Kent will be very lucky to escape retrospective action for lashing out at Liam Scales though…"

While, BBC pundit Tom English was of the same view as Sutton. He tweeted: "Rangers grind it out. Aberdeen let down by their captain. Aberdeen didn’t make much of the Ryan Kent incident afterwards which, looking at it again, kinda surprises me. Michael Beale making obvious improvements, but a way to go, as he says himself"

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