Des Roache was taken aback by the controversial incident involving Rangers defender Clinton Nsiala against Hearts on Sunday.
Rangers secured a 3-1 victory at Tynecastle, but the outcome might have been different had the hosts been awarded a penalty. During the second half, Nsiala appeared to push James Wilson to the ground, yet referee John Beaton did not penalize the challenge, nor did VAR intervene.
VAR official Steven McLean reviewed the incident but ultimately decided there was insufficient reason to overturn the on-field decision.
Des Roache questions Rangers’ fortune against Hearts
Roache, a former UEFA official, firmly believed it was a clear penalty and expressed his shock that it was not awarded.
In his opinion, the 21-year-old Nsiala had both hands on Wilson’s back and clearly pushed him down inside the box.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Roache stated:
“It’s a blatant penalty. Nsiala has both hands on Wilson’s back, and it doesn’t matter where the ball is—he’s completely impeded him from making an attempt to play it. Nsiala was never in a position to win the ball, but by pushing Wilson with two hands, he committed a foul.
“I’m surprised VAR didn’t intervene. Steven McLean is an experienced official, and I would have expected him to step in. Most neutral observers would call that a penalty.”
“A push with two hands in the back inside the penalty area is a foul. If it happened outside the box, it would be given as a free kick. This was a penalty, no doubt about it.”
Nsiala was fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty
The decision fell into the grey area of what constitutes a “clear and obvious error,” meaning VAR chose not to intervene.
The issue with such terminology is that it leaves room for subjectivity, making the referee’s initial decision crucial. Had Beaton awarded the penalty, VAR would not have found enough grounds to overturn it.
Nsiala must be cautious in the penalty area, as different officials may interpret similar incidents differently. The post-match debate highlighted opposing viewpoints, with both sides presenting valid arguments.
Such decisions can be frustrating if they go against you, but if they go in your favor, they can feel justified, especially given past contentious calls.
Ultimately, Rangers will be relieved to have bounced back with a win following their shock cup defeat to Queen’s Park. While the result might not entirely ease the pressure on Philippe Clement, it does provide him with some much-needed breathing room.
