Dundee manager Tony Docherty cut a forlorn figure as he assessed his side’s exit to Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup.
Dundee travelled to Ibrox on the Gers’ return to the famous stadium, Rangers having faced a lock-out so far this season due to a delay to works on the Copland Stand.
In the end Rangers ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in Glasgow’s Southside with Cyriel Dessers netting a double either side of a James Tavernier penalty.
And it was Tavernier’s spot-kick which drew the frustrations of Tony Docherty come full time, with the Dundee manager casting doubts over the penalty award.
Tony Docherty brands Rangers penalty ‘soft’
Rangers were awarded a second half spot kick after Dundee midfielder Mohamed Sylla fouled Cyriel Dessers in the box.
Sylla clearly had his arms around Dessers, who managed to slip in front of the Dundee star before being dragged to the ground.
Despite that – and whilst Docherty admitted he had not seen the decision back – the Dundee manager branded the call ‘soft’.
Docherty also expressed wider frustration at his team’s defending at Ibrox, whilst the Dundee boss lamented a number of missed opportunities.
“It’s poor for our point of view,” Docherty told Sky Sports. “Big Mo (Sylla) is caught wrong side and he gives the referee a decision to make.
“I do think it was soft. I’ve not seen it back, but I thought it was soft. It just does give them an opportunity to go and score there.
“I’m disappointed that our cup run has came to an end now.
“We knew when the tie came out it was going to be a tough, tough game here, a real challenge.
“But I’m disappointed because I think we can represent ourselves a bit better than that in terms of not conceding and scoring.”
Referees missed first-half ‘rugby tackle’ at Ibrox
Tony Docherty’s penalty kick complaints come amid swirling controversy over an incident involving the same players in the first half at Ibrox.
Mohamed Sylla once again appeared to grapple Cyriel Dessers with both hands in the Dundee box in a moment which has been described as a ‘rugby tackle’.
Despite replays clearly showing the Dundee midfielder having his hands all over the Rangers striker, referee Chris Graham waved play on at the time and VAR duly obliged him.
Even controversial pundit Michael Stewart branded the Dundee star ‘fortunate’.
The incident has caught the attentions of refereeing podcast Behind the Whistles, who have questioned both the referee and VAR for not awarding the penalty.
Branding the on-pitch decision a ‘clear error’, the ex-referees behind the podcast believe the VAR should’ve intervened.
It suggests that whilst Tony Docherty has a gripe with Rangers being awarded a second-half penalty for a near identical incident, the Gers should’ve probably also been awarded a spot-kick in the first-half.
Under-fire Rangers skipper James Tavernier duly dispatched the penalty kick with Philippe Clement later jumping to the defence of his captain.
