Footage from the most recent Rangers win suggests that the referee may have made a big mistake in handing the club a penalty.
In their most recent Scottish Premiership fixture on Saturday afternoon, the Bears took on St Mirren and cruised to a 4-0 win in front of their own fans.
Antonio Colak scored a double, while James Tavernier and Fashion Sakala also got in on the act for Rangers as they claimed all three points at Ibrox.
However, it seems as though one of those goals should not have perhaps stood. Indeed, Tavernier’s effort, the club’s second of the game, came from the penalty spot.
Upon watching replays of the foul that lead to the spot kick, though, Colak may go down under the challenge of Declan Gallagher but it could be argued that the opposition defender got to the ball first.
Do you think it was a penalty?
Yes
No
TIF thoughts on Rangers and the penalty…
One man who certainly seemed to feel as if Rangers were rather lucky to see the call go in their favour was former player Kenny Miller. Indeed, he told the BBC (via FootballScotland) it was a ‘harsh decision’ as Gallagher ‘definitely got the first touch’.
In full, he said: “I would love to say it’s a stonewaller but I’d have to say big Declan Gallagher has definitely got the first touch. But Colak comes from Deccy’s blind side, Deccy’s trying to watch the ball and keep an eye on the man but Colak’s movement again, he’s always on the move and being proactive.
“He just gets across but Declan Gallagher no doubt got the sole of his boot on that ball so it’s a harsh decision.”
The penalty did allow Rangers the chance to double their lead before halftime, which would have been a big blow for St Mirren to suffer, and so it’s not as if it was an inconsequential decision from referee Nick Walsh.
Still, the Light Blues won the game by four goals in the end, so it’s probably fair to say they would have won the game regardless – but you never know how things might have played out had this key talking point gone the other way.