IAN MCCALL refused to point the finger of blame at Malik Tillman as he hailed Michael Beale for his sportsmanship after a dramatic Scottish Cup clash on Sunday.
Rangers booked their place in the last eight with a 3-2 victory over Partick Thistle as goals from Antonio Colak and James Sands, either side of a moment of controversy from Tillman, secured a derby victory at Ibrox.
A second half flashpoint saw Tillman score after he closed down Kevin Holt as he attempted to return the ball to Rangers after the American was on the end of a stamp in the middle of the park.
Thistle reacted furiously to the incident and Beale made the decision to allow the Jags to go up the park unaided as Scott Tiffoney scored to bring the tie level heading into the closing stages.
It was a classy decision from the Ibrox boss and McCall was full of praise for Beale as he insisted Tillman had no case to answer for his part in the talking point.
McCall said: “From my point of view Malik Tillman didn't really realise what was going on. I don't blame the referee because I'm not sure he can stop it.
“Maybe he can, I'm not sure what the rules are but I'm not sure he realised what was going on. We were just about to kick it back. Then Mick made the decision which I think reflects really well on him and this football club.
“Allan McGrgeor, I thought, at one point wasn't going to let him put it in the net. Then it was game on after that. I hold no ill-feeling towards Malik Tillman whatsoever. Not sure he really realised what he was doing. More disappointed on the third goal.
“I've been in football since 1981 and I've never seen anything like it before.
“I think I'd have done it if I'm being honest. It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if we had won 3-2 but he made the decision and I think it was the right one. I think sometimes a bit of class is going out of football but that showed it.”
