5 big VAR calls from Kilmarnock vs Rangers as THREE handball flashpoints sparks ‘weird’ Clement verdict.

Though there were a few odd choices, the league leaders returned along the M77 with all three points.

The decision by Philippe Clement to not grant Rangers a penalty at Rugby Park was deemed WEIRD, considering that Kilmarnock had been awarded a spot kick for a handball scenario that was comparable.

The perplexed Belgian’s remarks were made just a few hours after veteran referee Steve Conroy expressed his concerns that a VAR ruling might decide the outcome of the Scottish Premiership championship match.

After a lackluster first half performance in which they were behind early on due to a penalty kick by Danny Armstrong after referee David Dickinson penalized John Lundstram, the Light Blues rallied for a decisive three points in Ayrshire. While serving as a VAR, Andrew Dallas didn’t think the man in the middle’s error was significant enough to warrant sending him to the monitor for inspection. However, Clement was left confused by an incident that occurred late on the other end. The game wasn’t broadcast live on Sky Sports, so the commentators didn’t offer their typical interpretation of a number of occurrences. However, the Kilmarnock TV commentary team, which includes former Rangers player Dave MacKinnon, was similarly perplexed by a handful of them. Record Sport has identified five that were up for debate in the Gers’ 2-1 victory.

Lundstram fine

When Armstrong’s cross into the box cannoned off the Rangers midfielder’s arm and the Killie man converted, it was decided that the player had handled the ball. At the time, it appeared clear-cut, but former Ibrox winger Neil McCann wasn’t so convinced, and former referee Bobby Madden concurs. McCann stated, “I know this is given as a penalty,” on BBC Sportscene. There was no hesitancy in indicating the location. But in my opinion, it’s not. He’s tucked his elbow in. After the impact, the arm separates. I’m not sure how John Lundstram is meant to use his elbow. “At the point of contact, the arm is tight to the body and the defender does not make themselves unnaturally bigger,” stated Madden, lending his experienced voice to the discussion. It’s difficult to comprehend why the suggestion of an on-field review was made.

Is Diomande fortunate?

Although it is understandable since they work for the team’s TV station, analysts John Barnes and MacKinnon were of the opinion that Mohamed Diomande ought to have seen red for Rangers. It happened as Kilmarnock’s Liam Donnelly broke free and was hauled back near the halfway line by the final guy, the Ivorian. On Jack Butland, the Irishman would have been decisively defeated. Was it appropriate to give him his marching orders?

Is it in the Nic of time?

Following his introduction as a substitute for Rangers, Nico Raskin was the subject of a penalty claim after it appeared that he knocked Liam Donnelly over inside the box. The Belgian may have gotten away with one there, but he quickly raised his arms in defense of his innocence. Derek McInnes undoubtedly agreed. “It’s a free-kick anywhere else on the field,” he declared. “From the one perspective my analysts have shown me, it appears that Donnelly had the first touch and was bundled over. The VAR people obviously have more angles. It may have been a penalty based on the viewpoint I saw, but I’m sure they looked into it, and if there are other angles that show it wasn’t, then whatever. However, I was unhappy that it wasn’t awarded.

Findlay inside a Stu

Rangers were given another handball penalty shout, albeit one that wasn’t quite as loud as the one that came after. As Cyriel Dessers, the Gers substitute, was within the box, Stuart Findlay was struck by the ball, which bounced up and struck him on the hand.

But this is the important detail that Madden shared on Instagram. “A player cannot be punished for playing a ball against their own hand or arm,” he declared. Would truly love it if folks began to realize that.

Fortunate Lewis

This was the major one for which Philippe Clement demanded an explanation due to inconsistency, and it seems the Belgian has a point. Lewis Mayo, a former Ibrox player, attempted to extend his arm as Scott Wright entered the area and clipped a ball over him; however, the ball struck Mayo in the hand. However, there was no penalty given, and VAR made no intervention.