A number of Glasgow Rangers fans were fuming after an image of an “appalling” tackle on Ryan Kent surfaced on social media.
Twitter user @Time3Rag uploaded a screenshot of a nasty challenge being put in on the ‘Gers winger in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Hibernian, with one of the home side’s players going in with studs showing on the back of his left ankle just as the 23-year-old had laid the ball off.
https://twitter.com/Time3Rag/status/1307968713124130818
The game at Easter Road was littered with contentious incidents, including an elbow from Paul Hanlon on Ianis Hagi and an unsubtle Ryan Porteous challenge on Alfredo Morelos (as per Sky Sports). While both elicited yellow cards, Steven Gerrard felt afterwards that stronger action should have been taken by referee Don Robertson.
A week previously, several ‘Gers fans raged at referee Kevin Clancy after he failed to send off Dundee United’s Liam Smith for a knee-high challenge on Brandon Barker which saw the Ibrox winger forced off through injury.
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The image of the foul on Kent drew further ire from plenty of the Ibrox faithful, one of whom remarked “This is Scottish football” in a jibe at the treatment of the ‘Gers, who fought a long-running battle with the SPFL earlier this year over the early curtailment of the 2019/20 season:
https://twitter.com/WATP115/status/1308001026197381121
https://twitter.com/gmkelly1979/status/1307996906216460289
This is Scottish football, this is tolerated, indeed it’s actively encouraged by commentators, journalists and some supporters. The refs could stamp it out immediately by applying the rules of the game, they choose not to, it’s why our league is known as a farmers league sadly.
— Thomas Ross (@coopotb72) September 21, 2020
Tackle from behind with studs up is a sending off in my book shameful refereeing
— John Bell (@bel31763481) September 22, 2020
Appalling but not surprising that’s Scottish football kick the player first they look for ball. Watch Motherwell at weekend
— Rob212106 (@rob212106) September 21, 2020
We re seeing this all the time against us , referees / officials with a clear view few yards away making wrong decisions. How different the outcome of that game yesterday if the officials don’t blatantly cheat cause that’s what they’re doing.
— Rosco 🇬🇧(welcome to the ASTERISK years) (@blueforme1) September 21, 2020
This is why Scotland is struggling to stay within 30 years of modern football .
— #thebiggerthefame (@doxterisation) September 21, 2020
‘Gers fans, are you appalled by the standard of refereeing in Scotland? Comment below with your views!
