Rangers returned to winning ways with a late strike from Ianis Hagi on Wednesday night, although many of the club’s fans still had one major cause for complaint.
Referee Bobby Madden came in for fierce criticism from a number of ‘Gers supporters on social media over his performance in the 2-1 win over Hibernian at Ibrox. The 41-year-old official gave 15 free kicks in total to the visitors on Wednesday, three more than he awarded to Steven Gerrard’s side (as per BBC), while he decided not to show any card to Lewis Stevenson for an 88th-minute incident in which he clearly hauled Alfredo Morelos to the ground (as per @MichaelSeafarer on Twitter).
Indeed, it was from a free kick that Jack Ross’ men took the lead in the 35th minute after George Edmundson was penalised for a foul on Steven Whittaker, with Paul Hanlon rounding off the set piece by opening the scoring for Hibernian (as per Sky Sports). The Rangers defender was also booked by Madden for that challenge.
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Wednesday’s match was the 37th time that the referee has taken charge of a Light Blues game, with the Ibrox men winning 26 of those. While their team eventually managed to dig out a late victory, these Rangers fans on Twitter were fuming at Madden, with one supporter feeling that the referee had an “utterly disgraceful performance”:
Bobby Madden the epitome of Scottish refereeing. An utter disgrace.
— BMC Rangers Rants (@BMCRangersRants) February 5, 2020
https://twitter.com/themarcstewart/status/1225176041137659904
https://twitter.com/MichaelSeafarer/status/1225178607997399040
https://twitter.com/csljm84/status/1225173103023730690
Has Bobby Madden resigned yet?
Utterly disgraceful performance.
— Vanguard Bears (@VanguardBears) February 5, 2020
Bobby madden has a very encouraging game for Hibs, gave his all
— CJ (@Cjnovo992) February 6, 2020
That probably was the most inept refereeing performance I can remember. Madden utterly refusing to give any decision to the favour of Rangers, regardless of how blatant the foul. Made an utter fool of himself.
— Paul Dunnachie (@PaulDunnachie) February 5, 2020
this is another example that we are being reffed to a different standard. Its cheating
— rangersblue4 (@rangersblue123) February 5, 2020
Do you think Madden’s refereeing performance was poor in Rangers’ win over Hibernian? Have your say by commenting below!
