Rangers have demanded the introduction of goal-line technology after being denied a goal in a controversial season-ending 2-2 Scottish Premiership draw at Hibernian.
Barry Ferguson’s side twice took the lead at Easter Road, thanks to goals from Cyriel Dessers and Nicolas Raskin, but on both occasions they were pegged back – initially in very controversial circumstances.
Kieran Bowie got Hibs’ first equaliser, moments after Raskin thought he had scored before Rocky Bushiri cleared from under the crossbar.
Did the ball cross the line? Referee Nick Walsh and his on-field officials thought not, allowing play to continue and Hibs to move up field and score themselves.
And after confusing scenes while both ‘goals’ were checked, VAR Andrew Dallas ruled that there was no camera angle that proved Raskin’s effort had gone in – much to Rangers’ disgruntlement.
“Incidents like this again bring into question the effectiveness of VAR and also highlight the need to introduce goal-line technology in Scottish football,” an Ibrox statement said.
“Our supporters, players and staff deserve better. We will raise this with the Scottish FA and continue to press for initiatives which improve the accuracy of decision-making.”
Martin Boyle would go on to score Hibs second leveller, connecting with a Nicky Cadden cross for his 20th goal this season in all competitions in a fine way to celebrate his new deal.
But Rangers could still have won it, if not for a couple of superb saves from Hibs’ Jordan Smith, and the shot-stopper denying Dessers and Danilo.
The disputed decision to allow Hibs’ first goal and deny Rangers a second will feel like salt in the wound in their worst season since 2018.
As for the hosts, they were still jubilant come the full-time whistle, singing Sunshine on Leith in apt weather conditions.
Hibs’ rollercoaster season ends on high
In a match which mattered not, Hibs’ summed up their season rather quaintly. Start dreadfully, slowly grow into it, and finish by thinking of what could have been.
The first Rangers goal came from comical play at the back, with keeper Smith chipping the ball onto the head of Raskin, who played in Dessers to score.
This was the Hibs’ of September, October and November. Fragile, a little all over the place.
Rangers’ really should have been 2-0 up, but instead it was Hibs who made the chances count.
Bowie took his opportunity, tapping in a Boyle cut back, while the second goal exhibited Nicky Cadden’s deadly delivery. At the other, Smith produced seven saves to continue his role as unheralded hero.
The fightback in the game against at times a rampant, flowing Rangers, epitomised the unbelievable journey they’ve been on.
At the heart of it, David Gray – a man who knows the meaning of the word perseverance. His head was on the chopping block on a couple of occasions, but each time he escaped.
As for next season, only a fool would predict what type of campaign Hibs will have. Just keep an eye on the ride.
Free-flowing Rangers flourish without pressure
It might not have been a win, but it was one of the better performances under interim head coach Ferguson – and perhaps that should not be a surprise.
After all, there was no pressure on this game. Second place has been wrapped up for a while, but there wasn’t a bad home run to end, or a fierce rival to overcome.
Unburdened by the weight of expectation, they played free-flowing, attacking football that highlighted the abilities of Dessers, Raskin, Mo Diomande and Vaclav Cerny.
Why couldn’t they play like this more often? Can these players just not handle the scrutiny that being a Rangers player comes with? On this evidence, maybe.
That might not be a problem for long, given the summer that is on the way. The winds of change are blowing at Rangers and some of these players might not be at Ibrox next season.
If that is the case maybe some youngsters, notably Bailey Rice who seems to be part of the future, could have been given more of a chance in the next few weeks.
What they said
Hibernian head coach David Gray: “We gave away a bad goal and put ourselves 1-0 down very early on. It was never going to be a nothing game, there’s always a wee edge to these games.
“It was a bit frantic, both teams were desperate to win. We didn’t want to just fade away, it was full commitment from both sets of players. There was everything in the game.
“It was probably fitting, the way our season has gone. To not lose is another positive, the players could enjoy ‘Sunshine on Leith’ again, fully deserved for their efforts.
Rangers’ interim head coach Barry Ferguson: “It was a clear goal, it was there for everybody [to see]. It was clear to me it was over the line, then it goes to VAR and for some odd reason, they don’t see it being a goal.
“That’s frustrating, disappointing, and worrying. We need to be getting these decisions correct, that’s why VAR is here. It’s clear VAR’s not working.
“I’ve watched it five or six times. It’s clear as day that the ball is over the line.”
[BBC]