Rangers ‘remain unsatisfied’ after SFA referee talks

Rangers report having discussions with the Scottish FA regarding “major decisions” in their Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic, saying they have “concerns about the consistency of refereeing in Scottish football.”

Auston Trusty, a Celtic defender, was sent off for a challenge on goalkeeper Jack Butland, which caused Rangers to be upset.

There was no video assistant referee (VAR) intervention, but Rangers’ Thelo Aasgaard’s referee, Nick Walsh, who had earlier sent off Rangers’ Thelo Aasgaard, decided a booking was sufficient punishment.

In response to that incident, Rangers issued a statement saying, “We are unsatisfied with the explanation of the referee’s decision, the application of the Laws of the Game, and the VAR review itself, which we do not believe was sufficiently thorough or robust.”

Celtic won 3-1 at Hampden thanks to extra-time goals from Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand, with Johnny Kenny headed home from a penalty from James Tavernier for Rangers’ 10-man squad.

You can’t kick a goalkeeper in the head, says Captain Tavernier, who later expressed incredulity over Trusty’s late save save from a red card late in the first half.

Concerns about the consistency of refereeing in Scottish football have been raised again by how important incidents were handled in Sunday’s semi-final.

The Scottish FA and club representatives met this evening to get answers about important decisions made in the game, including the one involving Jack Butland and Auston Trusty.

We are still unhappy with the referee’s decision, the application of the Laws of the Game, and the VAR review itself, which we do not believe was sufficiently thorough or robust.

Although we are aware that both sides can have an impact on refereeing decisions, too many crucial matches continue to be impacted by inconsistent and difficult-to-refuse decisions. These choices have real consequences, determining outcomes, having an impact on fans, and having an impact on the livelihoods of players, coaches, and staff whose work is based on the outcomes on the pitch.

The club has consistently raised issues with the Scottish FA, but we don’t think there has been enough change in how refereeing is developed at the highest level.

Our supporters have grown frustrated with the repeated contradictions in important match decisions that still affect the club because we understand and share their anger.