Pundit highlights 'clear and obvious stigma' with VAR as St Mirren vs Rangers incident sums up threshold issue
Light Blues were awarded a penalty in the first half in Paisley
Pundit Andy Halliday believes the penalty that Rangers won in their 2-0 victory over St Mirren perfectly highlights a fundamental problem with VAR.
Light Blues full back James Penrice went down in the box following a challenge from Buddies midfielder Thomas Ramos. Referee Nick Walsh instantly pointed to the spot, however replays showed that there was minimal contact on the Rangers man as he hit the deck. Despite this, VAR chose not to intervene and the penalty was put away by in-form striker Ryan Naderi. A second half deflected goal from midfielder Dan Neil then ensured Rangers left Paisley with all three points.
The threshold for VAR intervention is if a ‘clear or obvious error’ has been made by the on-field referee. While former Rangers and Hearts midfielder Halliday doesn’t think a penalty kick should’ve been awarded due to the lack of contact, he also believes it highlights a grey area with VAR due to the fact Ramos did still catch the full back. He discussed the incident alongside ex Rangers and St Mirren striker Stephen Thompson on BBC Sportscene.
Rangers flashpoint sums up issue with VAR
Halliday said: “I've always had a bit of a grievance with the ‘clear and obvious’ stigma. I think it's a hindrance for referees. And I don't necessarily blame Nick Walsh for giving the penalty in normal time, because initially I also did think it was a penalty kick. But for me, I think the threshold has to be so much higher for this type of contact to be given as a penalty. I don't think there's anywhere near enough. Whether there's a slight glance with thigh-on-thigh contact or a little flick on the boot, I don't think that's enough to be a penalised offence.”
Host Thompson agreed that the decision was wrong and that he thought Penrice went to ground far too easily. He added: “Certainly for me, it’s in the extraordinarily soft category. I don’t think there is enough to warrant a penalty. I am not having Penrice’s reaction either. Clearly you can see there is very little contact, it’s not going to be sore. He goes down right in front of the referee and that can influence a referee.”
Where is the foundation of Rangers’ recent success?
Away from the VAR controversy, the win at the Marbill Coaches Stadium means Derek McInnes’ side have won 10 and drawn two of their last 12. Halliday reckons their recent success has been built on goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, as well as their settled back four of Dujon Sterling, Emmanuel Fernandez, Olwethu Makhanya and Penrice. He continued: “I think the foundation of Rangers' success this year is going to be based on that back five.
“They've conceded the least amount of goals in the league. I think they've got the best-and-a-half partnership. I think the goal is really sound. And they're not a free-flowing scoring team at this moment in time. But you look at some of the scenarios that they get themselves in, and these are chances that they create where, yes, they should score.”