KENNY DALGLISH reckons Rangers winger Ryan Kent was wrongly sent off against Aberdeen last weekend by referee Kevin Clancy.
The Ibrox outfit were furious with Kent's dismissal after he received two yellow cards during a feisty clash at Pittodrie.
Rangers have since held discussions with the SFA over concerns about the officiating during the match and Dalglish can see see why.
Writing in his Sunday Post column, he explained: “It would be unfair to lambast Kevin Clancy for every contentious decision he made.
“Rangers have since complained to the Scottish FA about how the ref handled the game, and it remains to be seen what, if any, difference that will make.
“However, the events through the game showed that our match officials need help, and that we must introduce VAR.
“The frantic 90 minutes underlined more than ever just how much Scottish football needs to introduce VAR.
“As Aberdeen and Rangers went at it hammer and tongs, referee Kevin Clancy was put under the microscope.
“For me, he made a few wrong calls. I don’t feel that Ryan Kent deserved to be red-carded. Indeed, I really don’t think he merited either of his two bookings."
Aberdeen also had a penalty call turned down when Allan McGregor collided with Ryan Hedges in the first half.
And Dalglish reckons Clancy also got this one wrong.
He added: “Even before that, there had been controversy. With around 20 minutes gone, Allan McGregor caught Ryan Hedges at the edge of the box.
"Contact was clearly made, and it looked like a penalty kick to me. Of course, the old question of whether or not there was clear intent from the Rangers keeper to trip the Aberdeen player is up for debate.
“And only Allan will know if it was deliberate, or if the collision was accidental. But, to most observers, a penalty should have been awarded, and I believe that would have been the decision VAR would have made.
“The Dons’ mood of injustice wasn’t helped by the fact Rangers then went straight up the park and scored.
“In the second half, Lewis Ferguson equalised with a penalty - but only after the wind had caused the ball to troll just off the penalty spot.
“By the letter of the law, the kick should have been retaken, and I’m sure VAR would have gone down that route.”
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel