Rangers: Michael Stewart issues verdict on controversial Cyriel Dessers goal vs Hearts.

Michael Stewart said Cyriel Dessers’ second goal for Rangers in the 5-0 victory over Hearts should not have stood because it was a handball “all day long”.

On February 24, the BBC analyst reacted live on Sportsound as the Nigerian slammed high into the net at the opening of the second half. He appeared to waste the chance after controlling a Dujon Sterling cross, but the loose ball came back to him.

Neither Kenny Miller nor Allan Preston could say on the match commentary whether it was handled or first came off his thigh, but Stewart was positive it was a handball.

However, Don Robertson in the VAR room gave Nick Walsh the all-clear, and the goal remained, making it 4-0 in the 48th minute of a spectacular display.

Miller remarked (4.11pm): “There might be a suggestion of handball, but I’m not sure about it. It’s clearly near on both hands, but it might also hit him in the thigh.

“But listen, he makes no mistake when he gets the second opportunity, smashes it into the roof of Zander Clark’s net.”

Preston added: “I believe it is pretty close. He may have controlled it on his thigh, as Kenny suggested, but his arms come together to try to control the ball. It depends on whether or not it strikes them.

Miller stated, “It appears to have hit his hand. It hits his thigh and then perhaps bounces off; it could also hit both arms, to be honest. Has Michael seen it or not? I do not know.”

Stewart responded, “Yeah for me it’s a handball all day long… it’s a handball.”

Don Robertson accepts contentions. Cyriel Dessers scores in a huge Rangers triumph.

It appeared to be a close call that might have gone any way, but it was thoroughly examined and delivered, so unless an official has lost his mind once more, it must have been within the regulations.

The significance of such decisions is typically overlooked in favor of the ultimate outcome, which frequently ignores the fact that the best team does not always win every game.

At Ibrox, Dessers’ first-half conversion from a John Souttar ball effectively ended the game for the powerful Gers.

His second should have put him on track for a hat-trick, but on a day when he shown both his finest and worst attributes while still performing admirably, he was unable to get a third.

Unlike the 2-1 triumph on October 29, Dessers outperformed Lawrence Shankland on the day. It’s possible that the Scot would have had more goals if he had played for Rangers, but he was not missed this time.