There were always going to be issues with VAR when it was introduced into Scottish football. The increase in penalties isn’t really a problem for me, all it shows is that referees aren’t getting the big calls right in the first place.
No better was this displayed than in our 1-1 draw with St Mirren at the weekend. When Ryan Kent beat one defender and then drove into the box, he always looked like the favourite to get to the ball. He did, and was then clearly taken out, only for referee Kevin Clancy to book the Rangers winger for diving. He couldn’t get the card out quick enough either.
Just a few weeks ago, this probably would have meant that Rangers dropped all three points, however, VAR is there to make sure such decisions are correct, Clancy – who has done us no favours in the past – being made to review his howler at pitch side, the only surprise was that he didn’t stick with his original call.
😲Rangers needed a late penalty to rescue a point at St Mirren.
What did you make of the game?⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Q20TnFXrvf
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) November 12, 2022
The Rangers fans could clearly be heard when Clancy was checking the VAR screen, chanting: “Kevin Clancy, we know what you are”. A pretty obvious suggestion that he is far from impartial when refereeing us.
This wasn’t the only obvious mistake either. Curtis Main escaping punishment, and even the concession of a free-kick, for elbowing Leon King in the back of the head. An incident that saw the teenager go to hospital and treated for concussion.
That challenge from Main on King @RangersFC was an elbow all day long. Why is it not being looked at again?? #spfl pic.twitter.com/yhdNAF6eNE
— NaeBull (@NaeBull) November 12, 2022
Not everyone is keen on VAR, especially those who go to games and have no idea what is going on but, think about all the big games in recent seasons where we have been punished due to incorrect calls – red cards, offside goals, not being given penalties, the list is endless. The 2019 league cup final, in particular was a sore one to take.
You can make your own mind up is to what the Rangers fans were insinuating, but one thing we do know is, he’s far from a competent referee.
Clancy spent a long time looking at the VAR replays for the penalty. It was obvious he was looking for a reason not to give what was a stonewall penalty.