RANGERS winger Scott Wright has bemoaned the “roll of the dice” nature of refereeing decisions in Scottish football – but stressed he and his team mates will not let any calls which go against them affect their focus against Celtic.
Wright had his first-half goal against Hibernian in a cinch Premiership fixture at Ibrox on Saturday disallowed after VAR official Andrew Dallas spotted he had encroached into the opposition area before James Tavernier struck his penalty.
Philippe Clement made light of the incident following a 3-1 win which kept his side, who have a game in hand still to play against Dundee away, just a point behind Celtic going into the third Old Firm match of the season in Govan on Sunday. “Scott’s boots are a bit too big,” he said.
However, the former Aberdeen player, who was denied his first league goal since May 11, 2022, at the weekend, confessed that he had been frustrated by both the ruling and the length of time it took VAR to arrive at decisions.
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Wright, though, was pleased that Rangers maintained their composure and racked up an important victory and expressed confidence they will not allow themselves to become sidetracked by any refereeing calls in the meeting with their city rivals.
Asked about his disallowed goal against Hibs, Wright said: “I didn’t want to torture myself by looking at it. I asked the ref at the time if it was close and he said it was close. It is just one of those things.
“It was frustrating for me because I want to add stuff to my game, but that was not going define our performance. I can help the team in more ways than one.
“But it is a case of us dusting ourselves down, not being downbeat about whatever decision takes place on the pitch and just getting on with it.
“Every game here is important and it is going to be an important one next week. But we did a job on Saturday, got the three points. We will dust ourselves down, recover and get ready for the game next week.”
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Rangers fans were incensed when a Kemar Roofe goal was chalked off for a Cyriel Dessers foul on Gustaf Lagerbielke at Ibrox in September and when no penalty was awarded following an Alistair Johnston handball at Parkhead in December.
But Wright is more concerned with the length of time it is taking VAR to reach a decision and the impact the wait is having on Rangers’ rhythm and the atmosphere inside the stadium.
He added: “On Saturday, we think we’ve scored, fans think we’ve scored and then there is the wait for VAR. Even with the penalty there was a wait for VAR. It is just trying to get that rhythm about the game. Obviously it breaks a wee bit.
“As a player, you just want these decisions to be quick. There is going to be human error regardless. If someone is having to make a call on it, whether it is a referee with VAR or without it.
“But it is for the fans in the stadium as well. They are waiting. It is not as if they have any idea what is happening. My goal went in and I didn’t realise there was any problem with it. Then you see VAR check on the big screen.”
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