Why John Souttar wasn't shown red card for Hibs' handball as ex ref defends Rangers star from 'blinkered individuals'

Rangers' defender John Souttar is punished for handball against Hibs
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Former SFA referee Bobby Madden insists that Rangers' defender John Souttar should not have been shown a red card for denying a goal in the clash with Hibs.

And he disagreed with Philippe Clement - who insisted that a penalty should have not even been awarded during the Scottish Premiership showdown. The Easter Road side had the chance to level at Ibrox when Mykola Kukharevych saw his shot from close range hit the hand of Souttar as he attempted to block the shot. The VAR team would again step in after whistler Walsh had initially waved play on - with Nick Walsh then pointing to the penalty spot.

The Swansea City loanee would go on to miss from 12-yards with Jack Butland saving the effort as Rangers ran out winners - but some questions were raised over whether Scotland cap Souttar should have been sent off denying a goalscoring opportunity. On Sky Sports, Kris Boyd insisted that goalkeeper Butland would have saved the shot from the Ukrainian - ending the chances of red being issued.

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And Madden agreed, further noting that it was correct by whistler Walsh to not dish out a yellow card. Taking to his Instagram, he said: "Penalty 100% correct. No doubt.

"I see some blinkered individual's are demanding a red card for denying a goal. Unlike Motherwell yesterday, the goalkeeper was in position to make a save. Quite simple really. No caution is also correct as the mandatory yellow card for blocking a shot at goal with your arm was removed two seasons ago."

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