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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

What the pundits said about Rangers penalty as Chris Sutton brands John Beaton call 'the worst I've seen'

It wouldn't be a big night of Premiership action without a major flashpoint up for debate.

And, sure enough, there was no lack of drama at Ibrox.

On an emotionally-charged evening following the death of Walter Smith, champions Rangers came from two goals down to rescue a draw against Aberdeen.

Their equaliser came via a late James Tavernier penalty - but whether it was a foul in the first place is being hotly debated.

David Bates was adjudged to have fouled Fashion Sakala and referee John Beaton pointed straight to the spot.

Pundits have been split over whether the official made the right call, with Kris Boyd describing it as "soft" on Sky Sports.

Here's how the observing pundits saw the incident on BBC Sportsound, Sportscene and on social media.

Richard Gordon

“They’re just getting ready for Sportscene and there was another incident on the screen from the game at Ibrox, and I’m thinking: ‘why on earth are they showing that, it’s a nothing incident?’

“I’ve just realised that’s the penalty! That is unbelievable!

“There’s just no way that’s a penalty, there’s nothing there. What John Beaton has seen goodness only knows.”

Richard Foster

(BBC Scotland)

“I’ve watched it now… I must have seen it 10 times and I’m still not entirely sure what it is I’m looking for.

“I don’t know what Bates has done, he’s just literally stood there. I'm bewildered, I don’t know.

“That’s not a penalty, it’s just simply not a penalty.”

James McFadden

(BBC Scotland)

"I have to say, initially, I didn't think it was.

"I can only assume the referee's got a view. When you see the contact, David Bates is trying to catch and he puts his arms around Fashion Sakala.

"And then when you see it, he does have a hold of his shirt. He steps across him, gets the wrong side and you have to say, in the end, it's a good spot."

Shelley Kerr

"Yeah (I agree with James), it's hard to see the first angle.

"But you can usually tell with the reaction of the players, and the only one that was complaining was Scott Brown - surprise, surprise!

"That's what Scott does, he's a leader.

"But, for me, it was a penalty."

Craig Moore

“Fashion Sakala gets on the inside of David Bates and he kinds of loses him for a split second.

“I’m not sure there’s loads of contact - there’s maybe a tug on the jersey which the referee has picked up on - but certainly Fashion Sakala isn’t looking for anything.

“It was a big moment in the game and it was a fantastic penalty from James Tavernier who showed massive character to step up.

“Tavernier is captain for a reason, he’s a big character, and has scored important goals and that was another one.

Chris Sutton

(On Twitter) "That's the worst I've seen."

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