Ex-FIFA referee reacts to what Michael Stewart said about Rangers controversy v Motherwell

Nick Walsh was at the heart of controversy yet again as Rangers crashed to defeat against Motherwell at Ibrox on Saturday.

Barry Ferguson saw his Rangers side lose 2-1 in the Scottish Premiership, with Cyriel Dessers scoring a second half consolation goal.

The Nigerian international thought he had grabbed the equaliser, but Danilo was judged to have been offside despite question marks on if he made contact.

After the assistant referee put his flag up, VAR backed his call, with Michael Stewart insisting the technology would have left the decision if he was initially judged onside.

Doubtful offside better than doubtful Rangers goal

Keith Hackett admits it is better to have a doubtful offside, than a doubtful goal, saying he would have expected the goal to be disallowed, as it was.

After watching new footage, the ex-FIFA referee admitted that it was always best to stick with the original decision when there is no clear evidence.

“The question for the officials, including VAR, is whether the attacking player made a deliberate play for the ball and was there contact,” Hackett exclusively told Ibrox News.

“Given the doubt regarding deliberate play and contact, I frankly would have expected the goal to be ruled out for offside.

“Better to have in my opinion a doubtful offside than a doubtful goal.

“The right decision was to accept the assistant referee’s flag.”

Rangers stuck in hole with Ferguson

Not that any of this is the fault of Ferguson, he has been dealt an awful hand with one of the most fragile Rangers squads ever seen at Ibrox.

There is no fight or determination to put together a run of consistent wins, and they buckle under the first sign of pressure, which is shocking.

Arguing over a possible goal that would only have secured a point against Motherwell at Ibrox sums everything up at this moment, with these teams needing to be blown away with relative ease.

That hasn’t happened anywhere near enough, and Rangers are floating towards another season of insignificance at Ibrox.