‘Disapponting’ error ‘damages credibility’ Scottish game

Rangers say the officiating failure in the League Cup final is “hugely disappointing” and “damaging for the credibility of Scottish football more widely”.

The Ibrox club have released a statement in response to Scottish FA head of referee operations Willie Collum admitting VAR officials made a ”really, really poor” and “unacceptable” decision not to award Rangers a penalty against Celtic in Sunday’s final.

There was no VAR intervention when Rangers, who lost on penalties after a 3-3 draw, were awarded a free-kick in extra time when Liam Scales was penalised by referee John Beaton for a pull on Vaclav Cerny on the edge of the Celtic box.

Replays showed the infringement continued inside the area.

An Ibrox spokesperson said: “Rangers notes the Scottish FA’s admission of an officiating failure following the non-award of a penalty to Rangers in Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final and welcomes the transparency from the Scottish FA.

“However, for such a failure to occur during one of Scotland’s showcase matches is not only hugely disappointing for the club and its supporters, but also damaging for the credibility of Scottish football more widely.

“We acknowledge the Scottish FA’s determination to use this and other decision-making failures as opportunities to drive improvements in officiating standards.

“As a club, we will continue to engage with the Scottish FA in an attempt to improve officiating standards for the benefit of all clubs in Scotland.”