Rangers goal flashpoint vs Falkirk gets 'Ref Watch' treatment as inconclusive camera angle poses fresh VAR question
Falkirk were convinced Tochi Chukwuani’s goal should have been disallowed amid claims the ball had gone out of play in the build-up
Former English Premier League official Dermot Gallagher has offered his expert view on the decision to allow Rangers’ first goal in their 6-3 comeback win over Falkirk to stand after pundits were left divided over the incident.
Danny Rohl’s side were trailing 2-0 before midfielder Tochi Chukwuani swept home just before half-time to reduce the deficit - a decision that left the hosts livid after being left convinced the goal should have been disallowed amid claims the ball had gone out of play in the build-up.
Nico Raskin’s lofted cross from the left-hand side flew from one edge of the box to the other but it was unclear if the ball behind went the goal-line prior to Djeidi Gassama heading it back cross goal and being denied by the woodwork. Chukwuani then pounced on the rebound and the goal was given by referee Don Robertson after a lengthy VAR check.
Sky Sports pundits Kris Boyd, Chris Sutton and Scott Arfield were divided on the decision as they analysed the flashpoint at half-time, while former Gers midfielder Kevin Thomson admitted the ball “looked out” live on BBC Sportsound.
He stated: “I didn’t see that coming given how lacklustre Rangers have been, but this gives them a lifeline. Falkirk stopped, everything seemed to freeze. It certainly looked out. What’s the linesman doing? Surely the official is right in line with the ball going back over. He’d be in the best place.”
Now ex-Category One referee Gallagher has given his assessment of the incident on Sky’s ‘Ref Watch’ segment.
Presenter Matt Floyd put forward the case that VAR technology could be rolled out across the entire touchline rather than just the goal line to provide a more conclusive answer, but Gallagher disagreed.
He stated: “You've also got the assistant at the top of the picture behind the corner flag so he's looking right along. He's got the best view. You wouldn't need goal line technology there. He's right on the line. He says no. That's a good indication for me.”
That prompted Floyd to double down on his initial argument by asking Gallagher if it would be difficult for VAR to be installed across the whole line rather than just the goal.
Gallagher bluntly responded: “Well, there's the assistant at the top of the picture. He's got the best view. He says the ball was in play.”
Floyd interjected: “It's still not fool proof though is it?”. Gallagher replied: “Well, it's not fool proof but bear in mind you've shown three different angles and you can't show me one angle that proves that guy wrong.”
What Falkirk boss John McGlynn said about the incident
Falkirk manager John McGlynn didn’t have a strong opinion on whether the ball had gone out of play, instead electing to focus on his side’s inability to defend the situation.
He commented: “Players are claiming for the ball, but they've not got a clue if the ball's out or not. And so we've got to defend it. It's bad defending. We don't defend it. We've got opportunities to go and defend it. We didn't.
“We just didn't compete for the ball at all. We were a little bit unlucky when the ball was headed back across, it hits off the post and lands on the lad's foot. And they obviously put it in the back of the net. And it's a lifeline. And it's one that we've not reacted to. Rangers have reacted to it.”