Rangers B team coach David McCallum has fumed at a “ridiculous” red card call which led to his side’s implosion v Celtic.
The Ibrox youngsters saw their faint Lowland League title hopes fade in the 3-1 defeat, which came in front of an Ibrox crowd.
The clash was marred with controversy as Rangers ended up with only eight men on the park come the final whistle.
But things might’ve been very different for Rangers in the match had young goalkeeper Lewis Budinauckas not seen red at the end of the first half.
David McCallum fumes at Rangers B red card call v Celtic
This was the first red card call of the game, with the goalkeeper adjudged to have handled the ball outside the box.
At this point Rangers were actually leading the game, Arron Lyall scoring to put an impressive young Gers side in front.
But that controversial red card decision – which David McCallum insists was incorrect – led to an inexcusable collapse in the Rangers ranks.
What’s more the other two red cards came from players who’ve already made their debuts for the top team in Bailey Rice and Adam Devine.
But it’s the incident involving Budinauckas which had David McCallum most perturbed come the final whistle.
“I was able to see it at the time as we have the video at the side of the pitch,” said David McCallum.
“[It’s a] ridiculous decision. If you want to make big decisions you have to get them right.
“It’s clear the ball is at very worst over the line, as in on the line as he catches it. And the next step takes it into the box.
“So we see a big decision like that at that stage of the game.
“We were excellent up until that point and clearly ahead in terms of how we’re controlling the chances created and that moment changes the game.
“If we’re going to get big games like this then the officials need to get it right.
“They need to get it right. And that decision at that point [was crucial]. He keeps telling me in a good position.
“If he’s in a good position, he needs to make the right call and that’s the wrong call.
“So, wrong call and a game that was good. It was a good spectacle to watch. That [decision] killed it. It kills it.”
The result leaves Rangers B 3rd in the Lowland League table, one point behind Celtic in 2nd and four points off Spartans in 1st.
