Sport
Alan Brazil fumes at Rangers incident v Aberdeen, Ally McCoist reacts
Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist have reacted to the contentious decision to send off Dujon Sterling in the closing moments of Rangers’ 2-1 win over Aberdeen on Tuesday 6 February.
With the Gers looking to close out the victory and move level on points with Old Firm rivals Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership, the former Chelsea man was given his marching orders with two minutes left to play.
Brazil fumed at the decision, while McCoist could only laugh at the situation, pointing out the humour in the controversial moment at Ibrox.
“Every week, you and I both moan about the referees going over to VAR and some of them not having the conviction to keep the same decisions,” McCoist said live on talkSPORT on Wednesday (7 February, 6:11 am)
“Oh, I’ve given up,” Brazil replied.
In hysterics, McCoist continued: “Well, the referee did it last night, and he was wrong. Honestly, you couldn’t make it up.
“Dujon Sterling goes in for a tackle, he’s a bit late and he slips. He catches the player on the toe – it’s a yellow all day. The referee sends him off and the VAR, to be fair to him, tells him that he’s a bit harsh.
“The referee goes over, looks at the decision, and sends him off anyway. Even when they’re getting it wrong, and they have a chance to get it right, they’re still getting it wrong.”
Wrong decisions at Ibrox
Anyone who saw the game unfold will know that McCoist is right. Sterling never should have been sent off for the accidental challenge, having posed no danger or malice towards the Aberdeen player.
While there is also a call for referees to have more backbone, most fans just want consistency from the officials during matches. Rangers are likely to consider appealing the “harsh” decision, and so they should – it should be a simple change.
The game against Aberdeen was full of controversy, with some calling for the visitors to be awarded a penalty during the first half as Connor Goldson blocked a shot amid a tussle in the box.
Sterling has been a star under Philippe Clement this season, especially considering his change of position from full-back to midfield. It is likely Jack McKenzie’s reaction to the challenge that sold it to the referee rather than the late tackle itself.
No one is denying that it was a definite foul, and maybe even warranted a yellow card. But the red card was the wrong decision and referee Don Robertson was even given the chance to rectify his mistake. He chose not to and it piled the pressure on Rangers for the remaining few minutes of the match.
