Ex-Uefa official tips crunch talks as BBC’s controversial Antonio Colak footage emerges at Rangers – ‘He’s dived in’
St Mirren can have no complaints with the penalty they gave away in their 4-0 defeat to Rangers last week (8 October), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Uefa and Premier League referee claimed Declan Gallagher “dived in” on Antonio Colak and Nick Walsh had no choice but to award a spot-kick.
As shown on the BBC’s Sportscene programme, Gallagher challenged Colak after a cross came in and Walsh immediately pointed to the spot.
St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson claimed his player was “adamant he got the ball first” and suggested VAR might have overturned the decision if it was in operation.
But Hackett has insisted Robinson should have a word with the defender rather than blaming the result on the officials.
He said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “He dives in and I think that’s why he’s given it.
“The referee is in a great position. I think the referee is spot on, he’s made a sound judgement and he’s sold his decision positively.
“I’d support the referee on that one. There’s no hesitation, he’s confident.
“If I was the manager, I’d be talking to the player and not the referee but they don’t do they? They’re going to blame the referee.”
Rangers’ emphatic win kept them just two points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.
However, a 7-1 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday (12 October) means they cannot qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.
In other news, Rangers have been told to intervene after an official update on a Glen Kamara investigation.