Rangers TV pundit issues ‘reckless’ verdict as two controversies analysed after Kris Boyd claim
Alan Hutton has claimed referee Nick Walsh made the right decision in flashpoints involving Rangers star Leon Balogun and Motherwell’s Juhani Ojala on Saturday.
The former Gers defender and Rangers TV pundit, admitted the Ibrox defender could have no complaints with his red card for a “reckless” tackle on Dean Cornelius.
In footage from Sky Sports’ coverage of the game (23 April), Kris Boyd claimed while the 33-year-old was rightfully sent off, Ojala should have also seen red.
The Motherwell ace received a yellow card for a foul on Scott Wright.
Hutton admitted it was a borderline challenge from the 32-year-old but that Walsh made the right call.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “The red mist came down, there’s absolutely no need to do it. It’s a straight red.
“I don’t even think there’s a need to do it if you’re at your own box, never mind the halfway line. You put your team in a difficult position.
“He’ll know he made a mistake. He’ll hold his these hands up reckless and dangerous. The red card was the right call.“
Asked if he thought there was any inconsistency over Ojala’s foul, Hutton said: “There was a little bit. I take Kris Boyd’s point and I think that could possibly have been a red card as well.
“The only thing that is different is he didn’t jump up with two feet, go right over the ball and catch him.
“Of course he caught him but it was the trailing leg that caught him. I think that’s why he gets away with it. If it’s the full-on, studs showing, he would have been off.
“It was very close but the referee just got that one right, I think.”
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