PHILIPPE Clement tonight admitted he could understand the frustration of the St Johnstone’ players at the goal Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers scored against them being allowed to stand in the Premier Sports Cup second round tie at Hampden.
However, the Belgian, whose team booked their place in the quarter-finals of the competition they won last season thanks to the controversial Dessers strike and a late effort by Ross McCausland, felt referee Matthew MacDermid ultimately got the decision correct.
Craig Levein’s men were convinced match official MacDermid had raised his hand and blown his whistle to indicate a foul by the Nigerian striker on their defender Jack Sanders during the build-up to the second half opener.
But Clement said: “I don't know, to be honest. I didn't see it myself, but I was told that the defender stepped on Cyriel's foot instead of the other way around. So I think if that's the case, it's a good use of VAR what happened today.
"Those are the rules. So at the end, I think this is then a good use of VAR from the referee, to have an idea in his head but not being sure, and to let the play go on until the game is stopped, and then to make a decision together with his team, the VAR team, who have a better view on things.
“So that's the way how everybody wants it to work, to not make the decision split-second when you're doubting, but to let the game continue. Other people with three replays and taking more time can make the right decision.
"I understand their frustration because they're still in the game at the moment. So in that way, I would also be frustrated at that moment. But they were in the game because we didn't finish off our chances also."
Clement, who was missing Leon Balogun, Oscar Cortes, Nicolas Raskin, Scott Wright and Ridvan Yilmaz to injury going into the game, was disappointed to see his new signing Robin Propper limp off during the first half. However, he is hopeful the Dutch centre half will not be sidelined for too long.
"I think it will be okay,” he said. “So Robin felt totally blocked in his back with a knock with a duel. And it blocked his back. Because of that, he started to have problems with his groins. So he could not continue. If you cannot run, you cannot turn, you cannot play. But I hope and I think it will not be a bad injury.”
Clement was pleased to hand Brazilian striker Danilo his first start in eight months and is hopeful the £6m signing, who was replaced by Dessers at half-time, will benefit from his involvement.
"It's a pity for him that he didn't score at a few moments,” he said. “But you see him growing week by week and he comes from very far away. Even from a few days ago, because I get questions here if he was injured, because he was limping. So we had a good laugh about that the next day with Dani.
“It's good that everybody sees that he's back and it's about training hard the next couple of weeks, next couple of months. Getting playing minutes or deserving playing minutes by good training. And this continues growing again.
"Yes, that's always the plan. But of course there are other players also. And Cyriel was again very important today. So he made I think already three important goals this season, that made the difference. So there's a good competition between the two of them.
“But if you see our programme for September, October, November, December, we will need rotation in the squad. So we need a lot of players available in that way. Hamza Igemane is also making good steps.
“So I hope the next couple of months to also count on him in moments to play that role. That's what you need if you want to be competitive in four competitions."
Clement took his players over to applaud the Union Bears ultras group after the final whistle and confessed that Rangers, who were cheered on by a small crowd in a half-empty Hampden, need as many of their fans behind them as possible.
"It's something that was planned,” he said. “Because that group of supporters was there Tuesday also. And they stayed after the game also to stay positive, to support the players, to support the club. So I think it's a normal thing from our side to show that respect towards them also.
"Yes, it's super important. If you're all your life, because being a Ranger fan, it's from the crib for a lot of people. If you're all your life at Ibrox and you're used to being there and with all your family together and suddenly you have to move to another stadium for home games it's a big adaptation. It's a difficult thing.
“So I hope that more and more people can step over that and miss also being with the team. And I'm sure all the fans who were here today, they were really happy that they were here. And it's about us giving them good football, good results and like this that everybody can be happy again. If it's in Hampden or at Ibrox."
