What Rangers boss 'can't understand' about late penalty claim in Livingston draw as Rohl makes one thing clear
Frustrated Rangers boss has been discussing a major flashpoint during his side’s 2-2 Scottish Premiership draw at bottom club Livingston
Deflated Danny Rohl felt his Rangers side were denied a late penalty in their 2-2 Scottish Premiership draw with bottom club Livingston on Sunday - but concedes they had plenty of chances to come away with three points.
The Light Blues mounted a stirring second half comeback to earn a share of the spoils against Livi, but dropped two points in the latest title race twist as they failed to close the gap on leaders Hearts, with third-placed Celtic also losing at home.
Goals from Brooklyn Kabongolo and Lewis Smith had the hosts on course for a famous victory and their first in 25 league games, but Cristiano Montano’s red card handed the initiative to Rangers.
Emmanuel Fernandez drilled home to reduce the deficit before a deft Mikey Moore header from James Tavernier’s cross levelled things up with two minutes of the 90 to go in West Lothian.
The visitors then had a big penalty appeal turned down deep into stoppage time when Moore was played through the middle before being hauled down by Cammy Kerr on the edge of the box. VAR reviewed the decision and agreed with referee Ryan Lee’s on-field call to let play continue.
Follow our GlasgowWorld - Rangers Facebook page to get all the latest news stories on the Light Blues
It was a decision that incensed Rohl. Discussing the incident in his post-match interview, the German boss told Sky Sports: “I can’t understand when you see the replay and it’s a clear foul, then the decision. In my view it was on the line and it’s a penalty.
“As a ref, you often decide if it’s a yellow card or a red card, this is a different thing. It’s a clear foul and I think the first contact goes against the leg, not to the ball, then you have to make a decision. Mikey said to me and you see on the replay.
“This is a key moment. These are moments which can decide the (title) race with these final actions. But we had also 95-100 minutes to score and make it 3-2. It’s a pen but we have to move forward.”
Danny Rohl relishing Premiership title run-in
Rohl is aware his side don’t have much time to dwell on their latest setback with an Old Firm double-header in the league and cup against Celtic up next. And the German boss admits he is relishing the title run-in.
“We showed again our comeback character,” he added. “Ten games to go and it is an exciting race. We are disappointed today but we go again. We have to carry on.
“We cannot think too much about the past and I totally believe, the players believe, the club believe and the supporters believe we can do it.”