Rarely does a Rangers match pass without a hint of controversy, and Sunday’s showdown with Kilmarnock was no exception.
From a denied penalty appeal to one granted, and a red card for Kilmarnock’s Joe Wright, the game at Ibrox was filled with contentious moments that left fans and pundits buzzing.
During his analysis on BBC’s Sportscene, Michael Stewart shared his take on the key incidents that sparked debate, as Rangers clawed back to secure a win against Kilmarnock.
Known for his tendency to critique based on his interpretation of the rules rather than their literal application, Stewart has not shied away from controversial calls in the past.
Recalling the now-famous ‘biomechanics’ incident, where a penalty was awarded to Rangers against Motherwell for a handball above the defender’s head, Stewart’s approach this time around appeared more measured:
“In the heat of the moment, it was hard to discern what exactly occurred. It seemed like there was some obstruction on the line.
But upon reviewing the replays, it’s clear that the correct decision was made in awarding the penalty kick.
“I sympathize with Joe Wright to some extent because these moments happen in the blink of an eye.
“He made a poor touch, unaware of Sterling’s positioning. It’s a tough call, but ultimately the right one.”
However, Stewart was less impressed with an early penalty appeal waved off in the second minute, praising referee David Dickinson for his swift judgment and criticizing the VAR officials for unnecessarily prolonging the decision-making process.
“I have to commend David Dickinson for his quick call. It was chaotic how long VAR took to intervene.
“Most in the footballing world could tell within seconds that it wasn’t a penalty kick.
“While there may be a tendency for a penalty if the ref consults the monitor, Philippe Clement’s remarks were perplexing. That was not a penalty kick.”
Stewart’s criticism of Clement seemed misplaced, as the Kilmarnock manager wasn’t disputing the lack of a penalty but rather highlighting the inconsistency in handball rulings that have affected his team in the past.
While not every Rangers supporter may have been unhappy with the first incident, it showcased a textbook application of how VAR should operate—an aspect where Stewart missed the mark.
Despite the delays in Dickinson being directed to the monitor, the final decision was accurate. The on-field referee couldn’t have spotted the handball, making the VAR review necessary for a more informed judgment—precisely how VAR should function.
Sending a referee to the monitor with VAR isn’t always about rectifying mistakes, and in this case, it wasn’t.