Nick Walsh's decision to send off Mohamed Diomande in Rangers' 3-1 win over Dundee United has been branded 'embarassing' by Kris Boyd.
In the dying moments of additional time at Tannadice, the midfielder appeared to raise his hand in the direction of United defender Kevin Holt.
Walsh brandished a red card on the field of play, while VAR advised he review his decision at the pitchside monitor.
After watching several replays, the referee stuck by his original decision, and Diomande - who scored to make it 1-1 in the first half - walked.
❌ "Embarrassing... If I'm Rangers, I would have my appeal in right now!" 🫲 "You can't slap people in the face!" The studio discuss Mohamed Diomande's red card ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/UzXxsSPz6W
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 26, 2025
Boyd insists there is no conclusive proof that Diomande caught Holt with his hand, as Philippe Clement watched on from his touchline in disbelief.
"Embarrassing," Boyd insisted. "It's embarrassing.
"I think sometimes when they go to the monitor they can be too stubborn - sometimes they've just got to admit they got it wrong, as Nick Walsh should've.
"There is no excessive force, there is no brutality and if I was Rangers I would have my appeal in right now."
Chris Sutton chimed in: "I mean, in Dundee and Glasgow would you say that is violent conduct, I'm not so sure.
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"But what I would say is you can't slap people in the face. You just can't do that.
"He does slap. Yeah, I do think he does catch him."
Boyd came back: "Think. Think."
Sutton said: "Well, Nick Walsh is right on the spot there so while we can criticise, I think that the player has to discipline himself because now he's going to miss a couple of games."
Boyd: "I think it's a little bit inconclusive even if he slaps him."
Sean Dillion said: "He has his hand open, and he raises his hand. I would edge towards a red card."
Laughing, Boyd concluded: "There is no excessive force in it or brutality.
"A free for all? There is no excessive force in it. There is no brutality at all.
"I cannot understand. Nick Walsh is there, and from that angle, it may look as if he's caught him. It's inconclusive.
"I've watched it about 40 times here which tells us that it isn't conclusive.
"Diomande was very good and I'm not taking player of the match off him, because he shouldn't have been red carded anyway."
