Aberdeen midfielder Leighton Clarkson should have been sent off for his challenge on Ridvan Yilmaz in their 3-0 defeat at Rangers, Dermot Gallagher has said.
Speaking on Sky Sports News’ Ref Watch (16 January, 11:25am), Gallagher argued the only factor saving Clarkson from being shown a red, rather than yellow card, was the fact he slowed up before the tackle
Referee Kevin Clancy was suspected of thinking Clarkson had slowed down enough for his challenge to only be worthy of a yellow, despite catching the Light Blues full-back with his studs up.
Former Premier League referee Gallagher said: “I actually think this is a red card. What saves him is he slows up before getting there.
“Does the referee think it’s stopping the intensity? To put your studs up like that, you’re running a massive risk.”
Rangers respond to Aberdeen controversy in style
Although a 3-0 scoreline suggests Wednesday’s (15 January) match was a walk in the park for the Gers, they certainly did their best to make hard work of things before two late goals in second-half injury time.
A goal to the good early on thanks – as has often been the case in recent weeks – to Hamza Igamane, the Light Blues side struggled for much of the contest before Leon Balogun and Cyriel Dessers struck.
However, had they been facing 10 men rather than 11 on the opposite side, which they would have if Clarkson had been given his marching orders, that 3-0 scoreline may have come much, much earlier.
Balogun returning from injury to score will undoubtedly be a positive for Clement given his dearth of option at the back, and he’ll be pleased that the challenge on Ridvan didn’t have more serious impacts.
The Bears have been no strangers to poor refereeing decisions this season – not least in the Scottish League Cup Final – but having proved impregnable at Ibrox of late, it didn’t prove costly on this occasion.
