Rangers defender James Sands should have been shown a red card in their most recent league game on Saturday.
This has been suggested by the former top-flight referee Dermot Gallagher, who has been speaking on Sky Sports News’ Ref Watch.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men secured all three points at Ibrox against Ross County in a convincing 4-0 victory against the Premiership strugglers.
However, Gallagher believes they could have ended the game with 10 players on the pitch after Sands’ coming-together with Jordy Hiwula.
Sands was already walking a tightrope having been shown a yellow card by Don Robertson inside the opening 10 minutes of the game at Ibrox, and Gallagher has questioned the official’s decision.
He said: “Well, the referee didn’t think it was a foul, but I think if he gives a foul, it’s a straight red card. At worst, it’d be a second yellow, but the referee plays on. So the referee doesn’t think it’s a foul. I actually do, I think it’s a foul, I think it’s a red card.”
TIF Thoughts on Gallagher’s comments…
We have to say we are incredibly surprised the referee did not see this as a foul, with Sands seen to have his left arm around the County attacker and surely denied a goalscoring opportunity.
Should this have been a red card for Sands?
Yes
No
So we do think Sands was fortunate to be let off as it would have been a red-card offence – never mind a second yellow – given he was the last man at the back for the Gers.
And given the game was still tied at 0-0 and only 16 minutes had passed, it could have provided a much less comfortable afternoon of football for Van Bronckhorst and his men.