Furious Philippe Clement erupted on the touchline after Mohamed Diomande was sent off for the “faintest of touches” on Dundee United man Kevin Holt and confirmed Rangers will appeal in an incredulous post-match interview.
It was a big win on the road for the Light Blues as they opened up a 13-point gap over their hosts in second spot – while closing the gap on Celtic at the Scottish Premiership summit with the 3-1 victory. However, the victory ended on a sour note for the Belgian boss with Diomande being shown a straight red card by referee Nick Walsh. The Rangers midfielder was involved in a tangle with Holt before the United star shoved Diomande.
Following the contact, the man in the middle judged that the Ivorian had attempted to raise an arm to the face of the Tannadice star – and dished out a sending off. Don Robertson in the VAR room sent whistler Walsh to the pitchside monitor to review the incident – but he stuck with his decision leaving Clement with his head in his hands on the touchline.
The full-time whistle would sound shortly after and Clement would continue his protests as he walked to the tunnel. He appeared to gesture to the travelling support before remonstrating with Walsh. Irked Kris Boyd: “It’s embarrassing. There is no excessive force, no brutality. If I am Rangers I would have my appeal in now.”
Clement knew what was coming in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, but faced pushback when trying to get interviewer Luke Shanley’s take on the decision.
Sky: “What are your thoughts on the red card?”
Clement: “What are your thoughts on the red card?”
Sky: “What do you think?”
Clement: “I’ve seen it back now because I knew this question was coming. I totally don’t understand and we are going to appeal it also as a club. The VAR was clearly also in that opinion otherwise they don’t ask the referee to the screen. But I didn’t hear your opinion?”
Sky: “Because I don’t get paid to give opinions. You’re the Rangers manager, it’s more important to hear your opinion.”
Clement: “Okay, my opinion is clearly it’s not a red card. If that’s a red card then every game there will be three, four or five red cards. My players gets attacked in that moment and gets pushed. He has a small reaction with his hands without even touching the opponent. They can have both, at a maximum, a yellow. But giving a red card for that? That’s incredible.”