Rangers boss Philippe Clement has launched a furious tirade at the officiating team, particularly VAR official Alan Muir, following his side’s penalty shootout loss to Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup Final at Hampden Park.
The Belgian manager was left seething over a critical penalty decision that he believes should have gone Rangers’ way and could have changed the outcome of the match.
Celtic ultimately triumphed 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in regulation and extra time, but Clement was quick to point out what he saw as a “game-decisive” moment involving Vaclav Cerny late in the match.
The controversy arose in the dying moments of extra time when Cerny appeared to be tugged back by Celtic defender Liam Scales inside the penalty box. Referee John Beaton waved play on, and crucially, VAR official Alan Muir did not recommend a review, leaving Clement and the Rangers players incensed.
Clement, speaking with visible frustration in his post-match press conference, did not hold back his thoughts: [RecordSport]
“I don’t know if you saw the images back, but my phone is overloaded with the penalty situation with Cerny. I get hundreds of messages now about that. That’s also a really decisive moment in the game.
“Of course, he (the referee) cannot see that moment. But he didn’t get the communication from the VAR to come to watch the screen, which for me is a really weird situation. At least there’s no look about that kind of situation in this kind of game, about the situation that the referee can make a decision in that way.
“I didn’t see it at the time because I still have quite good eyes, but I cannot see that much distance if the foot is outside or inside or on the line.
“So no, but my phone is full of messages from everybody. I don’t know. So those are things I cannot control.
“I know that all of you like to dig deep into things. So maybe it’s also a very important moment to dig into that, about why there’s no communication in that moment about a big decision like that, because it’s clear for everybody it’s a game-decisive decision. I hope that you guys really dig in to things. I hope.”
The penalty debate overshadowed what was otherwise a thrilling encounter. The teams traded blows in a six-goal spectacle that showcased grit, determination, and moments of quality. The goals came from Nedim Bajrami, Mohamed Diomande, and Danilo for Rangers, while Greg Taylor, Daizen Maeda, and Nicolas Kuhn found the net for Celtic.
Ultimately, it was Kasper Schmeichel’s heroics in the penalty shootout that decided the tie. His save from Ridvan Yilmaz gave Celtic the edge, and Maeda’s cool finish sealed another triumph for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
