The fallout from Celtic’s League Cup final triumph has taken a new twist, with Rangers officially contacting the SFA to demand an explanation over a penalty decision during their 4-2 shootout defeat on Sunday.

Chief Executive Patrick Stewart—surely prompted by the media and fan hysteria—has reportedly spoken to the governing body[Stv news], claiming the club deserves answers as to why a second-half penalty appeal wasn’t granted.

Rather than focusing on their team’s performance, the club has chosen to double down on the narrative that officiating decisions cost them the trophy, despite Celtic clearly being the better team on the day.

The supposed grievance stems from a coming together in the box during the second half. Rangers argued that the incident merited a penalty. Still, referee John Beaton wasn’t convinced, and neither was VAR, which opted not to intervene in the initial decision to give a free-kick.

However, Rangers seem determined to treat this moment as the defining factor in a match. Their inability to control the game, combined with Celtic’s superior fitness and composure in the shootout, appears to have been forgotten in favour of pointing fingers at the officials.

This isn’t the first time Rangers have sought explanations from the SFA after high-profile defeats, and it likely won’t be the last. The Ibrox side’s track record of disputing refereeing decisions instead of confronting their on-pitch issues has become almost routine, leaving many to question whether this latest approach is more about pandering to their fanbase than achieving meaningful change.

Meanwhile, Celtic remain laser-focused on their season ambitions. The Hoops, now Scotland’s most successful club with 119 major honours, have shown time and again their ability to rise above the noise. As Rangers embroil themselves in yet another self-inflicted crisis, Brendan Rodgers’ men will relish the opportunity to keep the pressure on their rivals, both on and off the pitch.