Former SFA referee Bobby Madden reckons that Rangers should “100 per cent” have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Vaclav Cerny by Celtic defender Liam Scales.
It was a Premier Sports Cup final thriller as the Hoops claimed the silverware after a penalty shootout victory with Ridvan Yilmaz’s miss proving decisive at Hampden. But with the game poised at 3-3 in injury time, Ireland international Scales would bring winger Cerny to the ground on the edge of the box with referee John Beaton awarding a free-kick to Philippe Clement’s side.
Alan Muir in the VAR room would back up the man in the middle over the decision to rule out a penalty, but instantly on BBC Sportsound former Celtic star Pat Bonner conceded it was a let off for Brendan Rodgers’ side. He said: “It’s that quick closing down. He was lucky that wasn’t inside the box actually.
Rangers legend Billy Dodds added: “He is tugging him and his right boot is on the line. I am thinking at the time he has tugged on the right side – it wasn’t a great ball from Carter-Vickers. He took a bad touch. But that was close, it was borderline – it was right on the line. Cerny’s foot is right on the line and he’s being pulled.”
But Madden was emphatic on Instagram as he declared: “This is 100 per cent a penalty kick. It doesn’t matter when the holding started, when it ended or what direction the players are moving.
“This is clear evidence of holding within the penalty area and I’m amazed this hasn’t been identified by VAR. Referee team had been excellent until that point. Difficult live, but that’s why VAR is there.”
But former whislter Des Roache backed up the officials, telling Record Sport: “Very fortunate it’s outside penalty area. But, again a correct caution by John.”