There were a few strange events in Rangers win against St Mirren, a ballboy being substituted for being too partisan perhaps the most bizarre.
Nick Walsh was the man in the middle and the lunchtime kick-off was played without too much drama even if the whistler found himself at the centre of a mroe than questionable call.
Thankfully, it wasn’t a penalty decision or red card that went against Rangers, however, it was a call that could have been terminal for the Ibrox outfit’s title hopes.
Jack Butland in bizarre referee incident as Rangers win
It has been a season of poor officiating in Scotland, week, after week, fans are seeing inconsistencies.
Almost as inconsistent as some of the Rangers squad’s performances.
That isn’t the only issue, sometimes referees are seeing things that simply aren’t there.
With the clock ticking away, Rangers 2-1 in front and looking to see the game out, a hopefully long ball was played over the top of John Souttar and Leon Balogun.
Alert as always, Jack Butland rushed out and cleared Rangers lines before the on-rushing St Mirren striker Toyosi Olusanya clattered into him.
Butland wasn’t reckless or late, he got the ball cleanly long before Olusanya made contact with him.
The reality, is that we saw a textbook example of physics at work.
Mass and momentum, and Butland had more of both.
Nick Walsh disagreed though.
Not only did he, belatedly give a foul, but he then booked Butland too with Neil McCann blasting the decision on BBC Sportsound:
“Butland catches him with his knee but he’s got the ball first.
“I’m not sure why that is a booking and a foul.
“It’s ridiculous.”
Scotland’s referees have to do better
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson was asked after the game if he thought it was a red card.
Laughably, he barely thought it was a foul, instead, sticking up for Jack Butland as the press tried to create a controversy that simply wasn’t there.
The worst-case scenario could have seen St Mirren score from the free-kick or Butland miss the next couple of games if Walsh had sent him off.
After 90 minutes of not much happening, it was a ridiculous moment of refereeing.
Should we be surprised?
