‘It is clear and obvious’ - Ex-refs chief re-analyses Rangers vs St Mirren penalty controversy
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider and insisted that the referee missing the push on Nicolas Raskin inside the box was a clear and obvious error.
Derek McInnes’ side cruised to a win at Ibrox on the weekend to reach the quarter-finals of the cup.
However, it could have been a lot better for the Gers as they had a massive penalty call turned down in the opening exchanges of the match.
As the ball was sent into the box, Raskin appeared to be pushed in the back by a St Mirren player, which caused him to go to ground.
When watching the replays, Hackett was appalled that VAR did not advise the referee to award a penalty on the field, believing that the incident was a clear and obvious error.
Keith Hackett: Rangers should have been awarded a penalty vs St Mirren
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett explained why he believed that Rangers should have got a penalty early on.
He said: “It's a clear double-handed push, and when the arm is bent and it straightens, that's the indication to the referee that that is a push.
“So the referee may not have had the ideal viewing angle because he might have been out on the diagonal a bit more in fairness, and the player who's being pushed might well be covering the actions of his opponent. I'll give that benefit of the doubt to the referee.
“No benefit of the doubt to the VAR. And I don't care what the tolerance level is. This is a foul. This should have been a penalty kick, and they have got away with one. The referee and VAR have missed it.
“I think that in my old job would have been a phone call; talk me through that particular incident please. What I'm seeing is a deliberate push. Why is a penalty kick not being given?
“You're sitting on your hands next week. I mean, that was my approach. They didn't like it, but it's as simple as that.
He then added: “Well, they probably listen to everybody that says, you know, the bar is raised, you know, we want only interference on clear and obvious, we don't want re-refereeing, all those sort of things are in the mentality of the people who are in that seat operating as VAR, and there's some degree of conditioning.
“I think ultimately at the end of the day this is a push. A penalty kick has not been awarded by the referee. That is a clear and obvious error. You can't spell it out any clearer. VAR should have intervened. VAR has let the referee down. Full stop.
Derek McInnes’ era at Rangers is finally underway
The victory against St Mirren will be a huge relief for McInnes.
The manager was under huge pressure after the Gers were knocked out of the Europa League last week, with the former Hearts boss failing to win any of his first four games.
However, the dismantling of St Mirren was extremely encouraging and showed signs that McInnes could well be the right man for the job.
Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if the manager can ensure Rangers can keep up this level of performance going forward.