Craig Levein was left as confused as his St Johnstone players after Cyriel Dessers scored the contentious opener in Rangers’ 2-0 win at Hampden Park in the Premier Sports Cup last 16.
It looked like referee Matthew MacDermid had called a foul by the Gers substitute on Saints defender Jack Sanders at the edge of the box in the 58th minute before the Ibrox forward netted, but after being sent to look at it again on his pitchside monitor the official pointed for a goal.
Suggestions that he did not actually blow his whistle before Dessers struck added to the confusion, although an added-time goal by Gers substitute Ross McCausland confirmed the Ibrox side’s progress.
Saints boss Levein said: “Do you want me to start? What the f**k happened there? Anybody know? Anybody help me with it?
“I didn’t speak to the referee, what’s the point? I’ve been there a hundred times and I end up getting fined and then doubling my fine and then doubling it again.
“Some of them (players) said that (he blew the whistle before the goal). I even tried to listen back to it on the footage. I can’t tell.
“I thought it was a foul for us. I thought that Jack had been tripped by Dessers and that’s why Jack was on the ground. And that’s why Dessers still had the ball.
“So I thought there’s no danger here. They’re going to rule this out because Jack’s been fouled.
“Everybody stopped because of one or two things. Either they’ve stopped because they heard the whistle or they’ve seen the referee giving us a free-kick.
“I think the referee’s made a mistake. That’s what I think. And I’d love him to come out afterwards and just say, ‘look I’ve got that one wrong’.
“I’m going to get in trouble if I keep going.
“I was really pleased with the performance today.
“I didn’t even get a chance to speak to the players after the game because I was on inquest for about 20 minutes about what the hell had happened with the first Rangers goal.
“There’s a lot of things about the game today that I actually really like. But just the manner in which we lost was, what’s the word, puzzling probably. Puzzling would be a nice word.”
Philippe Clement believed the Dessers goal was simply a case of VAR working properly.
He said: “I think this is then a good use of VAR from the referee, to have an idea in his head but not being sure, and to let the play go on until the game is stopped, and then to make a decision together with his team, the VAR team, who have a better view on things.
“That’s the way everybody wants it to work, to not make the decision split-second when you’re doubting, but let the game continue.
“Taking more time can make the right decision.
“I understand their frustration because they’re still in the game at the moment. But they were in the game because we didn’t finish off our chances also.”
Following Rangers’ Champions League qualifying exit to Dynamo Kyiv in midweek at Hampden Park, temporary home for the Light Blues while Ibrox is being refurbished, the national stadium appeared less than half-full for the game.
Clement revealed the celebrations behind the goal with the Union Bears, the club’s ultras group, was pre-planned.
He added: “It’s something that was planned. Because that group of supporters were there on Tuesday also.
“And they stayed after the game also to stay positive, to support the players, to support the club. So I think it’s a normal thing from our side to show that respect towards them also.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
