Rangers: Michael Stewart announces verdict on contentious Cyriel Dessers goal vs Hearts.
The BBC analyst reacted live on Sportsound on 24 February when the Nigerian slammed high into the net at the opening of the second half, having got his arms engaged in controlling a Dujon Sterling cross to seemingly waste the chance before the loose ball came back to him.
Neither Kenny Miller or Allan Preston could be convinced on the match commentary if it had been handled or whether it had initially 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 the goal eventually stood, to make it 4-0 in the 48th minute of a spectacular effort.
Miller remarked (4.11pm): “There might be a hint of handball, I’m not too sure about that. It’s really close on both hands I suppose but it might potentially catch him on the thigh as well.
“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 think it’s very close. He might have controlled it on his thigh like Kenny indicated, but his arms come together to try and control the ball. It’s whether it touches them or not.”
Miller said: “It does look like it hits his hand. It hits his thigh and then maybe bounces off, it may maybe hit both arms to be honest. Has Michael been able to see it or not? I don’t know.”
Stewart replied: “Yeah for me it’s a handball all day long… it’s a handball.”
Don Robertson accepts contentions Cyriel Dessers strike in huge Rangers triumph
It looked a tight one and might have gone either way, but it was reviewed at some length and given so unless an official has taken leave of his wits once again it must have been within the regulations.
The value of such judgments are often dismissed on the basis of the end result, which frequently ignores the fact that the best team doesn’t necessarily win every game.
But in the circumstances at Ibrox this actually would have made no difference either way, as Dessers’ first, converted just before the break from a brilliant John Souttar ball, had already killed the contest for the powerful Gers.
His second should undoubtedly have seen him on the way to a hat-trick, but on a day where he managed to display the best and the worst of his characteristics and still eventually perform strongly he couldn’t grab a third.
In contrast to the 2-1 triumph on 29 October Dessers also managed to leave opposing number Lawrence Shankland in the shade on the day, and while it could be argued the Scot would have had about five if he had been playing for Rangers they certainly didn’t miss him this time.
In other Rangers news, the Gers look to be rushing towards a “massive” £60million makeover.
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