During the opening exchanges of theRangers unconvincing 2-1 win at Dens Park yesterday a friend forwarded me a message they’d seen on social media that- to paraphrase – indicated the Ibrox club had started the game so badly they may well miss their inevitable penalty award that afternoon.
It raised a smile but also turned out to be prophetic.
🗣️ 'They're both at it'
Sportscene pundits say Rangers shouldn't have had a penalty… ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/kyG5SC4bCd
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) March 21, 2022
James Tavernier did indeed take aim for Tannadice rather than the Dundee goal when the customary penalty was awarded, however, it was the actual award from Bobby Madden that beggared belief, yet perhaps by now it really shouldn’t have. James Forrest on The Celtic Blog noted today that had Tavernier scored then Madden would have been entitled to have claimed an assist.
I think for context, it’s important to state that this footage wasn’t even shown or discussed.
Compare and contrast with recent penalties awarded.
— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) March 21, 2022
Alfredo Morelos, having appeared to hold off Dundee defender Jordan McGhee before eventually dragging him to the ground – with McGhee in turn holding Morelos shirt as he fell – claimed for the spot-kick, it was a claim that was enough to make you laugh. Morelos didn’t even bother to hit the ground, he just stretched his arms and claimed for the inevitable decision from a referee who is well known to Morelos for handing out favours.
Guess which one was a penalty pic.twitter.com/i9OLBxhV81
— Mikey (@bhoymikey67) March 20, 2022
Bobby Madden certainly saw his opportunity and decided, despite Morelos being the initial instigator of the foul play, to award theRangers the penalty that Tavernier, perhaps somewhat justly, then missed. Remember the scoreline at this stage was 1-0 to Dundee and theRangers had not even managed a single shot on target all afternoon.
Is this one likely to receive the week-long coverage Reo Hatate’s yellow card at Tannadice got last week? Or Tony Ralston’s corner the weekend before? Probably not, yet it was enough for Chris Sutton to question the abilities of Scottish referees.
“It’s the award of penalties like the one today why people question whether most top flight Scottish referees are up to the required level…” Sutton noted.
It’s the award of penalties like the one today why people question whether most top flight Scottish referees are up to the required level…
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) March 20, 2022
As theRangers struggle to bridge the three-point gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership you can rest assured ludicrous interpretations of the laws of the game will follow from the likes of Bobby Madden et al in the weeks ahead, as with the Ibrox club looking far from convincing on their domestic away travels, they will need all the help they can get, and they will certainly receive it.
One for fans of the term 'gaslighting' i believe. https://t.co/ICcau0XOwa
— RabQuinn (@WolfgangDikface) March 20, 2022
Chris Sutton may well question the standards of Scottish refereeing, but he stopped short of questioning their impartiality. And while the Holy Grail of VAR is seen by many to be the hope for improved decision making in Scottish Football, it won’t correct an issue that is far more questionable than the ability of the referees in Scotland. That one is far too engrained.
Shaun Riley
Sit down, grab a cup of tea and a sandwich, and listen to BBC Radio Scotland’s post match analysis of the Rangers penalty, from yesterday’s game, in it’s entirety.
Ooft. pic.twitter.com/30UD9qGfOo— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) March 21, 2022
Amazing stuff.
Penalty and a sending off for the Dundee boy is the expert consensus.
Not a dissenting voice among them.Trippy. https://t.co/D6O7Om7BxP pic.twitter.com/zM9QNEz6AV
— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) March 20, 2022
Right everyone Tell me please how anyone never mind so called professional referee see's this as a foul against the guy in white and a penalty? Anyone pic.twitter.com/8IKWg2iuWS
— BobCrilly (@BobCrilly2) March 20, 2022
The fact that they have all appealed is the fact that stands out for me. They’ve been told to appeal. https://t.co/3ITJRW2ozh
— tommy (@Tomtheleedstim) March 20, 2022
