Michael Stewart ‘flabbergasted’ at Hibs v Rangers controversy live on BBC Scotland
Michael Stewart was left stunned over a major officiating controversy that went against Rangers during their clash with Hibernian at Easter Road.
The ‘Gers went into their final game of the season at Easter Road on Saturday (17 May) knowing they were guaranteed to finish second in the Scottish Premiership table this season.
Even so, Rangers will have been looking to build on their 3-1 win over Dundee United in midweek, and took the lead through Cyriel Dessers after just two minutes.
However, as they looked to double their lead, the visitors found themselves in the midst of a remarkable passage of play.
Rangers pulled back after goal missed
With 15 minutes on the clock, it seemed as though Barry Ferguson‘s side had doubled their lead, when Nico Raskin bundled the ball over the line.
As Hibernian scrambled it clear, replays appeared to indicate the ball had indeed fully crossed the line, despite which no goal was awarded.
Amid that confusion, the hosts were able to go up the other end and equalise through Kieron Bowie, a goal that was allowed to stand following a VAR review, which only checked for offside.
Now Stewart has given his take on the incident, suggesting that Rangers were indeed fortunate to be level at 1-1 rather than 2-0 up.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound at half time, the former Hibernian and Hearts midfielder said (1:30pm): “I think it’s a goal.
“I’ve got a certain degree of sympathy with the officials in regards to because obviously Hibs go right up the other end and score straight away it just magnifies the decision.
“I think when you watch it in real time it’s difficult. Anybody that tells you they know what happened in real time is I don’t think being entirely truthful. But when you watch the replays…”.
After it was then noted the SFA had issued a statement explaining there was “no conclusive evidence” the ball had crossed the line for the Rangers goal, Stewart added: “Well, you know, conclusive?
“I’m not sure about that. What I’m looking at looks fairly conclusive to me. “Look, what is the goal-line technology that we’ve got?
“Is it we’re just trying to get the angle? Surely we have a camera which is close enough to the goal line. You could go round in circles on this one.
“From the angles I’ve looked at, for that not to be over the line, I’d be flabbergasted if the ball is not over the line.”
Barry Ferguson right to be frustrated over disallowed goal
Football Insider Verdict
Like many teams in Scotland this season, Rangers have been involved in a number of VAR controversies over the course of the campaign.
This though may be the stand out one, given replays did clearly indicate that the ball had indeed crossed the line by a considerable margin.
Indeed, with VAR in operation, there ought to have been the camera angles needed to provide “conclusive evidence” one way or another.
The fact therefore that the SFA have said the opposite when everyone has seen the picture differently, is not going to help the sentiment towards the officiating situation.
Of course, it is worth noting that it remains to be seen if Ferguson will get the Rangers manager job on a permanent basis, and if this incident had cost his side, that may have influenced that.
As a result, there will have been plenty watching this with a keen interest to see just how significant that goal might prove to be for the future of certain individuals.