Ex-PGMOL chief accuses Djeidi Gassama of 'cheating' after re-analysing Rangers controversy

Motherwell were understandably frustrated after Djeidi Gassama won a penalty during Rangers' 1-0 win at Ibrox.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that referee Duncan Nicolson fell for the winger's act of simulation.

The away side were visibly annoyed when the player clashed with Tom Sparrow, with the Steelmen's social media team hitting out at the "incredibly soft-looking" decision online.

Min-Su Kim stepped up to take the spot-kick, but fired wide of the left post, only for the social media team to feel that "justice" was served on Saturday, 5 September.

Derek McInnes' side had already made the breakthrough thanks to Ryan Don Naderi, and that turned out to be the only goal of the game.

The Gers would have certainly preferred the two-goal buffer, but many will argue that Kim was fortunate to have that chance in the first place.

Djeidi Gassama's exaggerating like he's been 'poleaxed'

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett accused Gassama of going down far too easily, reminding fans that football is still a contact sport.

"Football is a contact sport and sometimes we forget that, and often where we've got contact, we've got exaggeration under the banner of simulation," he said.

"This was contact followed by exaggeration, as though the guy's been poleaxed, and you don't actually see too much force from the defender.

"For me, it was a soft penalty kick. One of the difficulties, I think in football and particularly from a VAR perspective, is that element of force involved when challenges are made.

"Is that force really force or is it actually the reaction of the player? When there's contact, he's going to go down.

"The forward often manufactures contact to then get the award of a penalty kick, and I think referees have got to be very clear."

Is Derek McInnes safe at Ibrox?

With the 1-0 win at home against Motherwell, the Gers are now sitting fourth in the Scottish Premiership table, five points behind Celtic.

The only target should be finishing at the very top of the pile, and hopefully qualifying for Champions League football ahead of the 2027-28 campaign.

However, Football Insider understands that McInnes is already fighting to keep his job at Ibrox, having only won half of his games in charge.

Right now, his team are on a three-game winning streak, so the overall atmosphere is more positive than normal. But that can all change in an instance.