Rangers supporters have flooded social media with calls for a replay of the Scottish League Cup final after their dramatic loss to Celtic.
The Gers were defeated on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw on Sunday, 15 December, conceding the season’s first piece of silverware to their fierce rivals.
However, much of the post-match discussion has centred around the failure to award Rangers a penalty during extra time, leaving fans incensed.
The controversy arose when Liam Scales appeared to pull down Vaclav Cerny inside the box, but referee John Beaton awarded a free-kick outside the area.
To compound the frustration, VAR officials Alan Muir and Frank Connor failed to intervene, allowing play to continue without review.
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell later acknowledged the error, attributing it to “human nature” [BBC Sport]. Officiating chief Willie Collum also admitted the penalty decision was wrong, further fueling anger among Rangers supporters [STV].
Fans’ Fury Focused on Referees, Not Manager
While Rangers manager Philippe Clement has faced scrutiny over his team’s form, the Scottish League Cup final defeat is not expected to impact his position.
Football Insider reports that the board remains supportive of Clement, despite the club sitting third in the table, 11 points behind leaders Celtic.
For Rangers fans, however, the focus remains on the officiating. Social media erupted with criticism of the referees, with some supporters demanding drastic action.
One fan argued there was a “precedent” for a replay under such circumstances, referencing the Belgian league, while another sarcastically asked when “ticket details” for the rematch would be announced. Many blamed VAR officials Muir and Connor, with one supporter declaring it “has to be the end” for the pair.
The fallout from the controversial decision has overshadowed the thrilling nature of the final. As frustration lingers, the Scottish FA may also need to address fan behaviour after reports of violent incidents in the city before the match.
For now, Rangers supporters remain adamant that justice has not been served, and their demands for accountability are unlikely to fade anytime soon.
How many stonewall penalties have been missed over the years Karma