Dermot Gallagher left Sky Sports pundits stunned as he delivered his verdict on the penalty awarded to Hibernian against Rangers.
The Easter Road side were awarded a penalty - which was scored by Martin Boyle - for a foul on Josh Campbell by Ianis Hagi.
Philippe Clement was furious at the decision as he blasted the call in his post-match press conference and demanded an explanation over the flashpoint in the 3-3 draw.
🗣️ "The referee thinks he is clumsy." 🗣️ "How that is given as a penalty I'll never know." What did you make of the spot-kick awarded to Hibs against Rangers? Stephen Warnock & Sue Smith disagreed with Dermot Gallagher as the trio analysed the match ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/FXwGPMYo03
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The Ibrox boss said: "It's about hearing what the thoughts were of the referee, to hear why the penalty was given, because it's not clear for me," Clement told Sky Sports post match.
"For me, it's never a penalty. It's from both sides a collision and nothing more. You can give it two ways, so you don't give a penalty in that situation. The referee had a different view on it and that's it.
"It's important also to ask an explanation because I need to explain to my players why this is a penalty.
"If this things happen in the future, why would it be a penalty. But I don't see the explanation because Ianis was on the wrong side, it's not enough for this situation as they both slide into each other."
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Gallagher - a former Premier League ref - was certain VAR would not intervene to overturn the call and stated Hagi "doesn't get the ball" as he analysed the "clumsy" challenge.
The former official then suggested the penalty was given with the view that Hagi caused the tangle of legs as he defended the on-field decision.
"The referee thinks he is clumsy," said Gallagher. "I think he doesn't get the ball, and again I think this goes all the way back to an on-field decision. You want the referees to feel empowered, the referee has made the decision and I don't think that VAR is going to overturn it."
Host Rob Wotton then said: "But if anything, you talk about shoulder to shoulder not a penalty. If anything, Hagi is in front of him so I am kind of puzzled."
Gallagher responded: "I was brought up if you are side by side with somebody they can bang you off the ball - that's accepted. I was taught to get across the defender.
"The defender tries to get across him there - but the referee thinks it's clumsy and gives a penalty. I think when you see that the on-field decision is always going to stand, the VAR is not going to intervene because he is of the opinion it's tangled legs caused by a Rangers player."
Bemused pundit Stephen Warnock commented: "I don't understand how you can give that. I think you just go back to the screen and look at it again.
"If he stands by his decision we have a problem because he doesn't know the game, if he goes to the screen you get the right decision. How it's given as a penalty I will never know."
Sue Smith added: "Completely agreed. I don't think it's a penalty at all for all the reasons you have just said there.
"It's the other way round, if anything."
