Yesterday’s Premier Sports Cup final defeat was a tough one to take for Rangers.
It is Celtic who have their name on the trophy this morning after edging the penalty shootout at the end of a pulsating 3-3 draw.
Gers had the lead to begin with before twice coming from behind later in the game, with Danilo’s late header forcing extra-time.
The game slowed in that extra 30 minutes with lots of tired legs on show and it would take penalties to decide the winner.
Every player scored in the shootout except for one and that was unfortunately Ridvan Yilmaz.
Pundits couldn’t quite believe the Turkish left-back was a taker and Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers was slaughtered for not stepping up ahead of him.
But Gers manager Philippe Clement explained the decision-making process, with keeper Jack Butland also one of the five takers.
Rangers fans question Kasper Schmeichel positioning
IFAB’s laws of the game have a list of conditions that should be adhered to during penalty kicks.
One of them states: “The goalkeeper of the kicker must remain on the field of play, outside the penalty area, on the goal line where it meets the penalty area boundary line.”
And eagle-eyed Rangers fans have spotted that Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel certainly didn’t seem to be following that.
A clip shows Arne Engels lining up to shoot into Jack Butland and the Dane is seen at the top of the picture walking into the penalty area, seemingly pointing towards something with his arm.
It may be that he is trying to put Butland off, or claim he wasn’t on his line perhaps, but what can be seen is that he is not standing in the position stated by IFAB.
One Gers supporter shared the clip and asked: “What is Schmeichel doing here? He does this for two of the Celtic penalties. Surely this isn’t allowed.”
Refereeing podcast the Ref’s View, run by former Scottish whistlers Des Roache and Steve Conroy, replied from their account and pointed out the laws don’t state a specific sanction for this.
But the do admit Schmeichel should have been moved to the correct position.
They wrote: “Probably should be sanctioned, but no specific mention. At the very least he should be told exactly where to go.”
Rangers fans react to Schmeichel
Rangers fans are already reeling from being denied a penalty during the 120 minutes after a VAR blunder failed to overturn a free-kick awarded for a foul on Vaclav Cerny.
Gers boss Clement branded that a ‘weird’ call and has demanded an investigation into it.
And supporters have now reacted to this latest feeling of injustice.
One said: “I couldn’t believe he was getting away with that. He’s even doing when Beaton is beside him. Refs usually chase the goalie back to the line.”
This fan wrote: “Surely he shouldn’t be in the box? Would he not be in Butland’s peripheral vision and moving about would distract him? There’s an official right beside him ffs.”
While another added: “Beaton was allowing Schmeichel to do what he wanted. The guy is an embarrassment.”
