Rangers benefited from their campaign of pressure on referees in Scotland again this evening after Sima’s foul on Jamie Brandon off Livingston. Following Celtic’s win at Ibrox and Rangers’ letter to footballing officials demanding an explanation, they have received a couple favourable decisions.
Dessers foul on Gustaf Lagerbielke in the opening Glasgow Derby of the season denied Kemar Roofe a goal against Celtic. The correct decision was reached and Celtic went on to win the game 1-0. Following that game, the Rangers manager, the players, fans and pundits put pressure on the referees by insisting that there had been dark arts at play.
Sima gives @RangersFC the lead 🔵
The Senegalese forwards finds the back of the net with a fine placed finish 👏#ViaplayCup | @spfl pic.twitter.com/oaQfj5QkEL
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) September 27, 2023
Stephen Craigan, Kenny Miller and Michael Stewart, as well as BBC’s Liam McLeod, all appeared to be sure that Nick Walsh would ask Collum to review his decision but neither check was completed swiftly and the goal allowed to stand. They’ll be debating it on Clyde SSB tomorrow, that’s for sure.
David Martindale shared the same view.
“I think it’s a foul and nobody is going to convince otherwise.” 🗣️@LiviFCOfficial manager David Martindale speaks after Viaplay Cup defeat#ViaplayCup | @spfl pic.twitter.com/FBuKFJjrsu
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) September 27, 2023
🗣️ “For me, that’s a foul.”@dothebartman1 and @alexrae1969 give their thoughts on the opening goal#ViaplayCup pic.twitter.com/vimcRlOr7W
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) September 27, 2023
The likelihood is that Rangers would’ve won comfortably against a Livi team that were seemingly disjointed on arrival in Govan. However, that shouldn’t influence whether the call was right or wrong from the officials.
On Saturday, James Tavernier benefitted from a soft free kick call to deny the Motherwell player going one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
It begs the question whether the referees might be hesitant to give decisions against Rangers. Or it could just be another honest mistake.
Celtic better hope that Collum recovers from this mistake quickly as he has been tasked with refereeing the match between the Scottish Champions and Motherwell at the weekend.
