Balogun ‘panicked’ as Rangers expert analyses controversial footage
Rangers were deservedly awarded a penalty against Greenock Morton in their Viaplay Cup game last weekend (19 August).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Gers defender Alan Hutton suggested Kirk Broadfoot “panicked” when making a challenge on Leon Balogun.
The Light Blues were awarded a penalty in their cup clash after Broadfoot’s tug on Balogun inside the penalty area.
As shown on the SPFL’s YouTube (21 August) Referee David Dickinson did not initially award the spot kick but after a VAR review the penalty was given which Cyriel Dessers slotted home.
Michael Beale’s side went on to win the game 2-1 despite going a goal down early on after Dessers gave away a penalty.
When asked if awarding a penalty was the right decision, Hutton told Football Insider: “Balogun was on the wrong side of Kirk Broadfoot, he was getting away from him and I think he has just panicked like we all have done as a defender.
“You realise somebody has run off you, you start to panic and you go to grab their shirt and it was obvious.
“He did get a touch on the ball, would he have got more if the tug wasn’t there? Possibly. But if you do that nowawdays you are going to give a penalty away.“
The Gers will face Livingston at Ibrox at the end of September in the quarter-final of the competition as Beale hunts down his first silverware as boss.
Before then the club have to face PSV Eindhoven in the second leg of their Champions League play-off round as well as Glasgow rivals Celtic in the first derby clash of the season.
In other news, Leeds United agree terms with Rangers midfielder after breakthrough.