It wouldn’t be the first time that a Rangers v Kilmarnock encounter has a controversial refereeing decision or two but how has David Dickinson managed the first-half?
Gers boss Philippe Clement was fully expecting a physical game but his squad will have been prepared to mix it from the first whistle, there is an aggression to our play that was missing earlier in the season.
VAR has been called into question again this week and there was no chance of us getting through 90 minutes of Rangers v Kilmarnock without some sort of controversy.
Referee watch: Rangers v Kilmarnock
On VAR duty is Andrew Dallas who must have nipped out to make a cup of team when Donaldson pointed to the spot without any hesitation for Kilmarnock’s opener.
There was the customary delay where it was expected that Dallas would point his colleague in the direction of the screen.
John Lundstram did handle the ball blocking a cross, that isn’t up for debate.
There is no argument that it hit his arm.
But, and it’s a big but, we all know that he handball laws have changed.
Factors like silhouette and making the body bigger are relevant.
Lundstram’s arm is clearly down the side of his body, when the ball hits it, he is in the air and side on.
If it didn’t hit his arm, it would have hit his body.
It couldn’t have been clearer.
We’ve all seen what the pressure on officials has led to in the past and, with the narrative this season, what official is going to reverse a penalty call given against Rangers?
VAR is there for clear and obvious errors and so that the on-field referee can get a different angle to assess his decisions.
Unfortunately for Rangers on this occasion, the VAR official was asleep.
