Rangers will be sending a letter to the Scottish FA for an explanation over Alfredo Morelos’ disallowed goal against Celtic, Sky Sports News have reported tonight.
Morelos had the ball in the back of the net in the first half when the scores were deadlocked at 0-0 but he pushed over defender Alistair Johnston in the process and referee Kevin Clancy ruled it out due to the foul.
VAR officials led by Nick Walsh did not determine that Clancy had made a clear and obvious error, with no pitchside check taking place after a review at Clydesdale House.
Both Michael Beale and James Tavernier were left annoyed with the incident in their post-match comments, deflecting away from another derby victory for the Bhoys.
Now it seems that bitterness is set to ramp up over the next few days with the club itself apparently cruising for a fresh row with the SFA. Be sure to get the popcorn out.
Pundits already seem to be lining up to give the officials a kicking going by radio and TV analysis I’ve heard. Clancy didn’t deal with the game well across the 90 minutes, for my money, but more in terms of lacking a general control of proceedings.
Johnston told Sky Sports after the game he himself felt it was a foul on him when Morelos scored, so there’s not only one side to this story. In honesty, I’m not sure what the Ibrox club are trying to achieve here even if they think it was soft.
Multiple clubs have had an issue with VAR and refereeing decisions all season, not least Celtic – but the Bhoys have had the luxury of complaining while winning. Complaints haven’t been used to gloss over damaging defeats. Rangers will be in danger of feasting on sour grapes if they make a big stink about this.
They’d be better off dealing with their own failings first and foremost. For instance, they haven’t beaten the Bhoys once all season, with their best result being a draw in a game they really needed to win.
Celtic have also opened up a massive 12-point gap in the league table that is growing rather than shrinking and creating a big stooshie with the footballing authorities is going to do absolutely nothing to fix that.
In other news, “He’d have a fight by himself”; Ange Postecoglou lauds Celtic standout vs Rangers.
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