Rangers get the rub of the blue at Fir Park
Well, the Ibrox men wouldn’t want the rub of the green would they?
Once again, an SPL game involving the big two where one of them has dropped points has been turned due to a decision from the officials which, on replay, looks to be highly controversial.
Motherwell were already 1-0 up when they looked to have put the ball in the net to open up a two goal lead but the offside flag ensured the home side were not able to double their advantage.
Things were going so well in the first half for Craig Brown’s men, their good run of form being continued into this match.
Mark Hately may be an Ibrox legend, if not an award winning columnist but his offspring was close to ruining his reputation with the Rangers fans.
Tom Hately opened the scoring at Fir Park with an exquisite free kick just before the half-hour mark. At this point, Motherwell were in command and were fully deserving of lead. At half-time, it would be natural to assume that Rangers would come out of the blocks intent on turning the game around.
First though, they were going to get a slice of luck that kept the game alive. The Ibrox side were the recipients of a dubious decision from the assistant referee when a Forbes strike was chopped off for offside. Yes, the linesman has only a split second to make the call but the television evidence proved that it was a very bad decision. From that point on, the odds were always likely that Rangers would get back on level terms.
Kris Boyd was yet again the man to get Rangers back at 1-1, the striker further emphasising his importance to the team. Something for Donald Muir and the men from Lloyds to think about and the impact the loss of Boyd could have on the team.
It was a defensive lapse at the back for Motherwell but not every striker would be able to keep a cool head when his team needed it most. The late goal means that Rangers could see it as a point gained but in the course of the season, it could be two points dropped. That will be found out at the end of the season.
The reaction of Craig Brown at the full-time whistle summed up his feelings about the call that prevented Rangers going 2-0 down but these things are due to balance out over the course of a season aren’t they?
With 14 games to go, Rangers are still in a very strong position but they need to find the fluent form of December and fast. Rangers cannot rely on one man digging them out every week…and yes, we mean Kris Boyd, not the linesman.
Rangers have Hibs at home on Sunday but before that, the Ibrox side have the Lloyds and Donald Muir protests to think about and how they can bin the bank?
Will Rangers get back to winning ways against Hibs on Sunday?
No comment about the stone wall penalty at the start of the first half boyd should have had when he was fouled in the box? no? didnt think so!!
Good shout Daniel, all the media coverage will be focusing on that tomorrow.
the decision to chop off motherwells 2nd goal was terrible and another example of what jim Gannon was talking about before he was “sacked” the sfa spl just dont seem to want rangers to suffer on the pitch just as the club struggles off it. surely any other club in the world would be put into administration if they wer in that situation.
Daniel
I’ve just seen the highlights of the Motherwell game and if you think that was a stonewall penalty I think you should get your eyes checked.
Just because you get those soft awards most weeks, doesn’t make it right.
excuse me when did i say it was a penalty????????
how the linesman puts his flag up that late is beyond belief a completely legitimate goal,clear as day, it seems Rangers are always involved in these cotroversial decisions from refs and linesmen.
Anyother country and this would be a scandal but hey we’re paranoid.
never mind the score what about that pitch . the ball couldnt even roll . i suggest a replay lol
Dannybhoy, as the great Brian Wilson or the great Saturdays may tell you, ‘hang on to your ego’ / ‘have a sit down with your ego’!!
Think Dubcentral was referring to the poster above Daniel and not your good self.
You wouldn’t have thought it was a penalty would you?
Fir Park is a disgrace…its all Gretna’s fault though…oh wait, that’s not this season.
I have honestly never seen a Premier league pitch in such a bad condition in all my time watching football. That game shouldn’t have been played last night as it was a danger to all involved, a shocking state for one of our SPL teams, what on earth viewers from outside Scotland (probably very few considering the clash with Arsenal & Liverpool) thought if it I don’t know. It was the same for both teams though, but the Motherwell lads will be used to it and it’s most definitrely an advantage for them. That said, Motherwell are a good side at the moment and will cause anyone problems at home, that’s for sure. They were definitely worthy of a draw.
As for the linesman’s decision, well there’s no doubt it was a poor call and he got it badly wrong. Similar to last year at the same venue when Boyd’s ‘goal’ was wrongly ruled out for offside, it’s hard to take when it’s your team as most of the Motherwell fans on here are rightfully stating, oh that’s right it’s not Motherwell fans it’s the Mopes that are on here with their chips, nae bag of tatties, on their shoulders. Rangers should have had two penalties at the hands of Craigan, one in either half. Replays showed that to be the case, but don’t let all that get in the way of a good old fashioned paranoia trip.
Defintely a point gained but doesn’t mask the fact that Rangers are struggling for form now, big big game against the Hibee’s on Sunday, Celtic of course having a bye this weekend as they play sidemouths sheep, in what’s always a canter for Celtic.
Still 8 points clear.
And they say the Celtic fans are the paranoid ones.
Aberdeen beat Celtic 4-2 last season, a game that was a major turning point in Celtic’s season and possibly a catalyst in the breakdown of Strachan’s relationship with players and board.
Aberdeen have also won at Celtic Park many times over the past few years – when was the last time they won at Ibrox?
Just enjoying the paranoia and conspiracy theories, surely we can be afforded some of those as well? lol
The more the merrier Quagmire…the way we see it, if you can get all your crazy theories out in the football world, you are more likely to be well balanced in real life…..
I’m not a Motherwell fan, ah’m now a Hibee!
Celtic / Rangers (delete as appropriate) fans – it’s an old joke but one that still funny.
“How dare you say I’m a bigot, I don’t care who beats Rangers / Celtic”
yer a better writer than a comedian
cmon the dandy dons
Jaz…thats true….and its not as if the writing is that good either!
The Dandy Dons? The team that Quagmire says is sure to lie down on Saturday?
Aberdeen will be kicking themselves they let Hibs back into the game last night for a draw, it may not be as easy for Celtic as some people think on Saturday.
Ibrox pitch is nothing to write home about either,the problem is club are not prepared to spend the funds required to sort out pitch problems which are generally involved dealing with underlying strata & appropriate drainage system which in fairness can cost a lot of money.Some clubs are lucky that there ground is in an area were the underlying materials provide good drainage/permeability ect.
Hear what your saying Danny but c’mon the problem at Motherwell is nothing new, they have an obligation to the SPL to have a fit and proper pitch and I’m sorry but that one aint.
I agree with you 100% but IMHO to sort this pitch out properly they will probably have to play there home games elsewhere for a while.
ONe thing kinda lost in this whole thread, Motherwell look like a right good side. The loan players from Everton Ruddy and Rutkivitch (spelling lol) O’Brien and Hately all look very talented. They should march into the top 6, with Rangers having played there twice already, I hope we don’t get the dreaded three games away nonsense again.