‘He knows what he’s doing…’ - Ex-refs chief: Toyosi Olusanya ‘endangered’ Rangers star

Toyosi Olusanya was lucky not to be sent off for his challenge on Cameron Devlin in Rangers’ 1-0 victory against Aberdeen.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that he believes that the Dons player endangered the safety of the Gers star and should have been given his marching orders.

Aberdeen were perhaps fortunate not to have multiple players sent off in their 1-0 defeat on Sunday, with Afeez Aremu also putting in a terrible challenge on Devlin.

However, Olusanya’s challenge on Devlin has also received plenty of backlash from the Ibrox faithful.

As Aberdeen cleared a corner, the two players jumped to try and win the ball, with the Dons player’s elbow colliding with the Rangers star’s head.

While referee Matthew MacDermid gave Olusanya a yellow card for this challenge, Hackett believes that he was lucky not to be given his marching orders.

Keith Hackett: Toyosi Olusanya was fortunate not to be sent off vs Rangers

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett explained why he believed Olusanya was lucky not to be sent off against Rangers.

He said: “I think this was borderline, and I think he's fortunate not to get sent off.

“He's leading with his arm, and he's coming high. It's my belief he knew exactly what he was doing.

“He's coming at speed. He's certainly endangered the safety of the opponent, and I think when you intend to use your arm and elbow on an opponent, that says to me there's a degree of malice. 

“So I think he was very fortunate. He was given the benefit of the doubt by the referee and by VAR. But he's fortunate to stay on.”

Did Rangers deserve to beat Aberdeen?

Despite a tense end to the game, Rangers were clearly the deserved victors.

Overall, they had 56 per cent possession, 18 shots, five of which were on target, a 1.84 xG, 26 touches in Aberdeen’s box and six corners.

In comparison, Aberdeen had 44 per cent possession, 10 shots, two of which were on target, 19 touches in the Gers’ box and six corners.

However, it remains to be seen if Rangers can keep up this type of display going forward.