Constant whining after defeat to Celtic pays dividend at Ibrox | OneFootball

It’s worth noting this evening that theRangers have been bleating on about the ‘competence’ of the country’s refereeing fraternity for quite some time now, more recently in the past few weeks after being soundly beaten by a Celtic side in transition and without a permanent managerial team in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.

The boot of Auston Trusty of Celtic catches Jack Butland of theRangers in the head, leading to a yellow card during the Premier Sports Cup Semi Final match between Celtic and theRangers at Hampden Park on November 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Earlier today that whining clearly paid off big time as they incredibly avoided conceding a penalty kick at home to Livingston, despite a run of replays showing that it was in fact, one of the stonewaller variety.

The incident was missed by the on field officials, but John Beaton on VAR and his assistant both decided that no further action would be required, as he said nothing to see here, play on and maybe even We Are The People.

Incredibly, there was time for the refereeing beaks to put out a statement to the media whilst the game was still going, as they overwhelmingly backed their men in black.

John Beaton – Photo Malcolm Mackenzie PSI

It yet again displays the incompetence and inconsistency of the refereeing administration, if they think that was not a penalty kick.

Just a few weeks ago they told us all that Tony Ralston was guilty of infringement in an incident that resulted in a spot kick to the Ibrox side.

It’s not me being biased saying that today’s incident was much more punishable, it’s a fact. Why they think today isn’t worthy of the same punishment is baffling.

Livingston Manager David Martindale Rangers v Livingston, Scottish Premiership, Ibrox 22 November 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Not all of theRangers supporters were happy with the decision. David Martindale, the Livingston manager could not believe that VAR did not intervene and says that he has watched the incident from every available angle and on each one it is clear handball, with an outstretched arm with the ball net-bound.

In the end theRangers toiled to a 2-1 win, to go just two points behind Celtic who play later this evening.

It looks very much that weeks of pressure from the Ibrox club has paid off. Probably the intention all along and now we wait with interest to hear what Willie Collum has to say about this one. The VARs need to watch out though because the wee clubs who feel the cost of VAR the most and feel that they get the short straw too frequently are no beginning to question paying for this service.

Stephen Robinson, the St Mirren manager, made his own thoughts very clear on this at his pre-match media conference ahead of tonight’s match. To be clear the view he expressed was his own and not necessarily St Mirren’s but when the manager has lost confidence then it’s quite easy to image the board feeling the same way.

Robinson said, as reported by Belfast Telegraph: “I won’t talk about separate incidents but in terms of VAR itself, it’s been three and a half years now and I don’t see an improvement with it.

Stephen Robinson, Head Coach of St. Mirren, reacts prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on January 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“For me, VAR isn’t fit for purpose in the form that we have it in this country. When it comes to minuscule and small decisions, I don’t believe the system’s accurate enough. We’re paying for a product that isn’t delivering. In any other walk of life you take the product back so that’s probably all I need to say on it. I don’t believe that the system’s working.

“Scottish football fans, Scottish clubs are paying for it. It is not free. Ultimately, have to ask yourself is it making Scottish football better? No. We’re probably in a really good position to talk about it for the last three and a half years. But I’m talking about the whole of Scottish football, your Dundee United, Hearts, Rangers, Celtic. We’re all putting money into something that over time doesn’t seem to have improved.

“The actual system itself. Small margins which these decisions are being made on now is not accurate enough. That has been proven over the last couple of weeks. Would that (money) not be better invested into players? I can get maybe two top players with that in terms of our level.

“Fans can maybe get tickets reduced or facilities could be improved. Every club can benefit, training facilities from the money we’re putting into that. I don’t believe it’s helping Scottish football in any shape or form.”

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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