Ex-PGMOL ref makes feelings clear after analysing Rangers vs Aberdeen red-card controversy

Referee Matthew MacDermid was right not to send off Afeez Aremu during Rangers’ tight 1-0 victory against Aberdeen on Sunday.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider who believes that, despite the Dons star’s challenge being a borderline red card, the lack of malice means that he did not get sent off.

There was plenty of controversy in Rangers’ win on Sunday, with the hosts putting in some questionable challenges.

One of the worst was Aremu’s sliding tackle on Cameron Devlin, with the Aberdeen player’s foot making heavy contact with the Gers star’s leg.

MacDermid gave the Dons player a yellow card for the challenge, despite the Rangers fans’ protests.

Now, after reviewing the footage, Hackett believes that this decision was the right one.

Keith Hackett: Afeez Aremu’s challenge has no malice

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett explained why he believed that the referee made the right decision to not send Aremu off against Rangers.

He said: “This is subjective and down to the match official. He's certainly come in late and high.

“When I first saw it, I thought that's red. When I looked, (his foot) hit his opponent and dropped down a bit.

“The fact that the referee's got a good position, VAR has had a second look. There is no doubt that when you look at things slow motion, they look a lot worse. 

“The match official on this one got it right. What you need to see in a red card is real malice, and I don't think there was any malice. Having said that, it could easily have been dismissed.

“It's subjective. I didn't see any malice in it, and neither did the referee, and that's what saved him. But when you come into a challenge with your boot high off the ground, that's the signal to the referee: I'm looking at red and not yellow.”

Can Derek McInnes kick on now at Rangers?

Despite the nervy end to the match, Rangers were in control for most of the game against Aberdeen.

It was a much-needed victory against the Dons, especially after the Gers’ awful exit from Europe last season.

However, the challenge for Derek McInnes now is to build momentum from the victory.

The club now face Falkirk, Motherwell and St Mirren next, and three wins here would put them in an excellent position ahead of the back-to-back Old Firm derbies.

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if Rangers are able to achieve this.