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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Key Motherwell vs Rangers incidents reviewed by Ref Watch

The key refereeing moments during Motherwell's 2-2 draw with Rangers have been given the Ref Watch treatment by Dermot Gallagher.

Philippe Clement watched on as his players salvaged a point at Fir Park, with Hamza Igamane's double enough to secure a draw after the hosts took a two-goal lead in at the break.

It was an action-packed afternoon, with plenty of talking points relating to the decision-making of Kevin Clancy as the referee, and Steven McLean as VAR.

The opener by Apostolos Stamatelopoulos garnered complaints of a handball from the Rangers camp, as the Aussie then finished underneath the onrushing Jack Butland.

The goal was given, with VAR opting not to intervene to rule it out.

Gallagher said:  "It's really intriguing. The ball does strike his arm, but it's tucked in. The question there has to be 'is it deliberate?' - because he didn't score from that.

"It's all about the jump - when it strikes him - the VAR says it's not deliberate and therefore the game goes on."

Stephen Warnock added: 'That's not handball. I'm not saying it doesn't hit his arm, but where do you want him to go?

"He has tried to make himself as small as he can - that's not handball."

Gallagher said: "If it doesn't hit his arm it hits his body. He can't avoid it."

Butland was again involved as he punched the ball into his own net after coming under some close attention from striker Tony Watt at a Motherwell corner in the second half.

Clancy awarded a free-kick for a foul on Butland. Again, VAR did not overrule. 

Gallagher said: "The only thing is his arm is in the air, does he think he catches him because he blows early?"

Warnock insists a goal should've stood. He said: "Lucky boy. That should have stood. If your arms are up and they are pulling you down then fair enough, but there isn't any of that.

"It's contact more so from behind. Butland moves back into him."


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Lastly, Lennon Miller caught Oscar Cortes high above the ankle when stretching for a tackle. 

Clancy brandished a yellow card, however, the likes of Bobby Madden and Kris Boyd believe that the top midfield talent should've been given his marching orders.

Gallagher concluded: "I looked at this and think he gets the ball after the man. It's not a nice tackle.

"The only that saves him is the referee is too close, he doesn't see it as clear as we do."

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