Pundit startled by Connor Goldson’s “iron ankles” incident at Rangers vs. Ayr United.

 

As two players escaped potential red cards, Rangers might have been down to nine men in their Scottish Cup triumph over Ayr United, according to Tam McManus.

Speaking on The Football Show for  Silva and Connor Goldson should have been sent off. The former had the advantage of Roy Syla’s “iron ankles,” as he continued to play after being caught by a lunge in the first half, and the latter had been softly booked by Willie Collum prior to halftime but not for a similar challenge after.

Scott Brown, the visiting manager, had been upset that the official gave in to the “pressure” at Ibrox, but McManus acknowledged that Philippe Clement’s team would have probably won in any case.

“I think the Ayr United boy does him a favor,” McManus stated (36 m 5 s). I believe he’s off based on the manner he enters and if he rolls about.

“The boy must have had iron ankles because he played on and played it wide despite having a straight foot in the air.” Moreover, it wasn’t even exhibited or repeated during the game. It was only brought to light later on Sportscene [BBC]. In my opinion, the boy thus did him a favor.

“Fabio Silva I considered it fortunate that he didn’t receive a second yellow. Although it was a soft yellow, he may have received a second yellow when he later in the game chopped the youngster. Browny was irritated as well because he scored the game-winning goal in the second half.

“Listen, I think that Rangers would still win the game with 10 men, they were comfortable, but a couple of decisions just never went Ayr’s way.”

Decisions favor Rangers in their victory over the Scottish Cup.

Goldson had an unusual game in the 2-0 triumph, and his carelessness may have cost him as he strained to correct the issue after overrunning the ball high up the pitch in the first half.

He was presumably fortunate, given the Silva case received relatively little at the time but significantly more attention.

Only Collum will know for sure, but it appeared as though he may have unintentionally put himself in a difficult situation by giving the Portuguese goalscorer a yellow card for not doing much to demonstrate that, despite the controversy surrounding his use of VAR during Rangers’ December 30 loss at Celtic, he wasn’t backing down from decisions.

In the circumstances Silva took a risk going in for the second challenge after the half, but Collum perhaps realised he had given himself a problem and decided to refrain that time.