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Ben Banks

Michael Beale admits he got Celtic handball call wrong but Rangers boss won't back down over Morelos no goal

Michael Beale has admitted he got a handball call wrong in the aftermath of Rangers' defeat to Celtic - but he stands by another refereeing claim.

The Ibrox gaffer said Jota looked to have handled the ball in the build-up to Kyogo's second goal in the 3-2 loss, but on closer inspection, admits that wasn't the case. But Beale is adamant that the decision by referee Kevin Clancy and VAR official Nick Walsh to chop Alfredo Morelos' goal for a push on Alistair Johnston was wrong. Rangers wrote to the SFA about that decision and weren't happy with the response, but manager Beale insists he's more gutted about the loss than that call.

He said: "I disagree with one decision and I got it wrong on another. The angle I had seen I thought it hit the boy's arm but it hadn't, so fair play, but I still think the first decision was the wrong one. It is up for debate but the game is gone, we can't change the result or anything. It is a difficult job and on the day the referee goes to make the decision he sees.

"I happen to think in that moment it was wrong but across the whole game, you can't count too many decisions that were up for debate. It was that one moment, but it was a good game and unfortunately we came off second best, I am disappointed in that more than anything else."

Beale said at the time on the alleged handball by Jota: “I’m disappointed with one or two decisions from the officials, the VAR officials, and not Kevin on the pitch.

"If you look at the goal disallowed for Alfredo Morelos and look at the number on the back of his shirt? Why is their guy not trying to play the ball? Only Alfredo is trying to play the ball. They’ve both got a hold of each other but Alfredo’s number is twisted around the back. I think it’s a goal. It’s a soft one.

“If we don’t get that one then when Ben Davies heads the ball against Jota it hits his arm. It’s not outside his body but it’s hit his arm. So if we’re so picky on one moment then we have to be as picky on the other."

In the aftermath of the match, Clancy has been hit with abuse and had contact details leaked online. Beale and Rangers have hit out at the matter.

Beale added: "If Kevin is getting abuse then it isn't something we can't accept in football. It's something as a club we condemn and we are not happy with it."

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