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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

What the Rangers and Celtic pundits said as John Hartson issues 'left hand a bit offside' verdict on winner

A battling win for Rangers against Celtic to reach the Scottish Cup Final has split the pundits after the decisive extra-time winner.

The rivals took the fight for a place in the showpiece all the way before Carl Starfelt deflected the ball into his own net from a Calvin Bassey cross.

Bobby Madden and his linesman allowed play to continue as Ryan Kent slipped the ball the full-back on the left flank.

However, the punditry team couldn't decide if the Nigeria cap had gone beyond Celtic defender Stephen Welsh and into an offside position before whipping the cross in for the winner.

Alan Hutton was quick to defend the officials decision on Premier Sports as host Darrell Currie returned from the break for a post-match debrief.

Hutton first chimed in when the video footage appeared on screen, insisting Bassey was onside: "We need to take it one frame back. He has already passed the ball there."

But Michael Stewart reckoned the goal could have been ruled out, contradicting: "I think his right knee is marginally offside."

Kevin Thomson took a more even-handed approach, noting that both sets of fans will see the call differently: "I think he is onside.

"Listen, it's tight there is no denying it, and Bobby Madden had a difficult afternoon. He made big decisions, and in my opinion they were wrong at times.

"I think this one, it's the toss of a coin. From Celtic's perspective they think it's offside, from a Rangers perspective it's onside. I genuinely think it's more onside than it is offside."

Former Celtic hero John Hartson reckons Ange Postecoglou can have little to complain about after their display at the national stadium, adding: "The thing is whether it's off or on, his left hand looks a bit offside, but you could also say it's a nicely weighted ball.

"You know what, we are clutching at straws really aren't we. Rangers have gone to the final. These are the good calls you need from the linesman and referee. You need that bit of luck in these games."

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