A former top referee insists John Souttar should have been red carded against Hibs on Sunday – and that whistler Craig Napier turned in one of the worst performances in the history of the Scottish top flight 24 hours earlier at Rugby Park.
Des Roache has made the double whammy claim in the latest episode of Record Sport’s agenda setting online show, Hotline Live. The ex-grade one official spoke out after Rangers boss Philippe Clement slammed the decision to award the Easter Road outfit with a penalty after Souttar blocked a goal bound effort with an outstretched arm at point blank range.
And Roache insists not only was match referee Don Robertson and VAR correct to award the spot kick to David Gray’s side – but that Rangers should have been reduced to 10 men for more than half the match. The flashpoint has dominated the headlines since full-time at Ibrox with the the likes of Bobby Madden and Dermot Gallagher offering their views. The former EPL whistler was in agreement over the penalty award but insists it was NOT a red card for the Scotland international. Madden also backed Gallagher’s version of events due to the double jeopardy rule.
Roache said: “It was a penalty all day long. But I would say that a red card would be justified at that moment in time. Yes, it was close proximity and I have no issue with that whatsoever. However, the wording of the law is ’denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity,’ As John Souttar has went to try to block the ball, he’s raised his arm – and the ball has hit his arm. That’s an intentional move.
“If the ball doesn’t hit his arm and goes towards the goal, you can’t say that Butland is going to save it because we don’t know that. So, at that moment in time, has that denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity? In my opinion yes it has. And if it’s denied a goal scoring opportunity the sanction is a red card.”
Gallagher, speaking on Sky Sports Ref Watch said: “The ball is going directly towards the goal and his arm is outstretched. He’s blocked a shot at goal. The keeper is there so it’s not a red card but it is a handball and a penalty.”
But Madden said added: “Penalty 100% correct. No doubt. “I see some blinkered individual’s are demanding a red card for denying a goal. Unlike Motherwell yesterday, the goalkeeper was in position to make a save. Quite simple really. No caution is also correct as the mandatory yellow card for blocking a shot at goal with your arm was removed two seasons ago.”
Resident Hotline Live ref Roache was withering in his assessment of Napier’s handling of Saturday’s 3-3 draw between Kilmarnock and Dundee United – which he rates as one of the worst the Scottish top flight has seen in recent times. And he has called for Napier to be immediately axed from the referees’ rota by boss Willie Collum.
He said: “I don’t think I’m going to be on Craig Napier’s Christmas card list at any point soon. But some of the decisions that went on were unexplainable. I just think Craig Napier had a bad day at the office and unfortunately he’s had a few too many.
“I don’t think there should be another phone call to Derek McInes from Willie Collum to apologise because you’d never be off your phone on a Monday morning if you had to apologise for decisions. I don’t think that’s the right way to go forward. I think what he has to do is manage his guys. I think Craig Napier needs a wee bit of coaching and a bit of time out to come forward.”