Honest Andy Walker says there's "not a chance" he'd have given Partick Thistle a goal back if he was in Michael Beale's shoes.
And the former Celtic striker believes Rangers wouldn't have done it if they were losing the Scottish Cup tie at the time. Beale ordered his players to let Thistle score unopposed after Malik Tillman controversially took the ball from Kevin Holt as he went to give it back to Rangers following an injury stoppage.
Tillman briefly put the home side ahead leading to the bizarre sight of Scott Tiffoney waltzing up the pitch to put the ball beyond an initially reluctant Allan McGregor. Beale was applauded for the show of sportsmanship with opposing number Ian McCall leaving his technical area to shake Beale's hand but Walker reckons it would have been a different story if Tillman's controversial goal was an equaliser.
He said on Go Radio: "It depends on the scoreline (whether you'd do it). You might do it if the game's level, I don't think I'd do it if I was behind. I don't think Rangers would have done it if they were behind at the weekend."
Former Ibrox striker Craig Moore responded with praise for Beale although he echoed Record Sport columnist Chris Sutton as he's unsure they'd do similar if it happened again against Celtic next weekend. He said: "All we can say is, what Michael Beale did was incredible in my opinion. You're talking about sportsmanship, winning the right way, sporting integrity, but the game still needs to be won. But he went about his business, he said that's not the way we want to win a football match, and they still get the right result.
"It's a great discussion and talking point... would he do it against Celtic? Who knows? I doubt even Michael would know that."
Walker was then asked if his old adversaries such as Andy Goram, John Brown and Ally McCoist would have done the same when they were playing. "I wouldn't expect it!" he quickly replied.
"It was a moment and it was against Thistle. They were at home, it meant the game was still level. Still half an hour to go. But if Rangers had been behind...not a chance. I don't think so and I'm happy to admit not a chance I'm doing that."
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