Rangers Slam Refereeing Consistency After Controversial Semi-Final Defeat to Celtic, Drops Disturbing Announcement
Rangers have voiced strong dissatisfaction with the standard of refereeing in Scottish football following their 3-1 extra-time defeat to Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.
The Ibrox club released a statement on Monday expressing “concerns about the consistency of refereeing” after a series of contentious incidents during Sunday’s match, including a controversial decision not to dismiss Celtic defender Auston Trusty.
The flashpoint came late in the first half when Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland was struck in the head by Trusty while diving to claim a loose ball. Referee Nick Walsh issued only a yellow card to the Celtic defender, and there was no intervention from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Walsh had earlier reduced Rangers to ten men after sending off Thelo Aasgaard for a high challenge, a decision that left the Rangers camp aggrieved given the contrasting treatment of Trusty’s incident.
In their statement, Rangers said they had held “constructive but ultimately unsatisfactory discussions” with the Scottish FA regarding the key refereeing calls from the match.
“We remain unsatisfied with the explanation of the referee’s decision, the application of the Laws of the Game, and the VAR review itself, which we do not believe was sufficiently robust or thorough,” the club said.
Rangers went on to criticise what they see as a lack of accountability and improvement in officiating standards. “We continue to believe that the SFA has not done enough to lift refereeing standards in this country,” the statement continued.
“Our supporters, players, and coaching staff deserve consistency and competence in the application of the rules. We will continue to press for change and greater transparency in how key decisions are reviewed and communicated.”
On the pitch, Celtic captain Callum McGregor and substitute Callum Osmand struck in extra time to seal a place in the final, after Rangers had fought back to equalise through a James Tavernier penalty following Johnny Kenny’s opener. But the game’s defining moment, for many Rangers fans, came long before extra time.
Speaking after the match, captain James Tavernier echoed the frustration. “Jack’s diving on the floor, he’s already got the ball and he gets kicked in the head,” Tavernier said. “You can’t kick a goalkeeper in the head. I don’t see how that’s not a red card.”
The defeat piles further pressure on Rangers, who have seen their domestic hopes dented by fierce rivals Celtic once again. But beyond the scoreline, the fallout has reignited the debate over officiating standards and VAR consistency in Scottish football — an issue Rangers appear determined to keep at the forefront of the national conversation.