Callum Davidson rips into 3 Rangers decisions as St Johnstone boss seethes at Willie Collum
Rangers won an early penalty, saw opponent Nicky Clark sent off but managed to keep Ryan Jack on the park.
St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson let rip at ref Willie Collum by claiming he got THREE huge calls wrong at Ibrox.
Rangers were awarded an early penalty when the ball struck defender James Brown’s hand in the box. Saints striker Nicky Clark was then sent off before half-time after a challenge on Ryan Jack. And moments later, when Jack scythed down Adam Montgomerie, Collum only dished out a yellow card - despite checking the VAR monitor.
Davidson was so livid on the touchline that he was booked by the whistler. St Johnstone eventually lost the game 2-0 after James Tavernier scored the spot kick and Glen Kamara sealed the points for Rangers. But afterwards, the Saints gaffer was furious with Collum’s display. He said: “I think Nicky’s one is harsh. He was getting fouled originally and lost his balance as he went to ground. Jack has actually come into him at force, not the other way round.
“So I just don’t get it, I don’t understand it. It was a really big decision and I don’t think it’s a red card. The tackle on Adam is late, at speed and with force. Willie has gone to check it, seen the replay where Jack has gone straight leg studs at Adam’s ankle - and it’s only a yellow card.
“That sums up the game. Normally when you go over, it’s a red card but the less I say about it the better.
“It’s a tough place to come with 11 men, never mind 10. I was surprised Willie didn’t go to the screen for Nicky’s one.That’s what VAR is for, isn’t it? I’m unsure as to how they interpret things in the rules. I genuinely thought it was a foul on Nicky.
“I had a wee strop on the side, that’s why I was booked. I just chucked a bottle but I was frustrated at a few things going on. Little things were irritating me, as well as a couple of big decisions. As for the penalty Rangers got, it’s a rule we have to change.
“James’ hand is up but it has deflected off Connor Goldson’s back from half a yard away. I’m not sure what he’s meant to do. There is no intent to handle it. We have to be a little bit sensible as big decisions in games are affecting the outcome. We have to look at the handball rule at the end of the season.
Despite back to back defeats to Rangers in the Scottish Cup and Premiership, Davidson was delighted with the character his side showed in both games. He said: “I’m really pleased with what we’ve shown in the two Rangers games. We tried to do a lot of good things today. We didn’t fold and this is a tough place to come. We’ll dust ourselves down and we’ve got bigger games coming up.”