Rangers moved to within two points of Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic with a 4-0 victory over St Johnstone at Ibrox on Saturday. Kevin Kelsy scored twice, with Ryan Naderi and Tochi Chukwuani also on target.
However, the result was overshadowed by a contentious red card shown to St Johnstone's Kai Fotheringham in the 74th minute. The 23-year-old was sent off for a tackle on Nico Raskin, with the hosts already 3-0 up at the time.
Referee's Decision Under Scrutiny
On-field referee Chris Graham initially allowed play to continue, but after a VAR review, he was advised to consult the pitchside monitor. Following a lengthy delay, Graham issued a straight red card to Fotheringham.
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari said he had no complaints with the decision. However, speaking on BBC Sportscene, former Scotland international James McFadden disagreed, suggesting the referee appeared "conflicted" over the call.
Pundits Question the Sending Off
McFadden said: "I really feel for him. I can understand that when you see the point of contact, it doesn't look great. (But) I don't think there was an enormous amount of force in it. He goes to crowd, wins the ball and catches Raskin on the follow-through above the ankle which you would normally say is an easy red card."
He added: "Chris Graham is sent by Andrew Dallas to go to VAR and he takes a while to get to the decision. He can see the initial slide, the contact and the force on the follow through. I don't know why he is taking so long and it tells me he was conflicted. Is it endangering an opponent or an excessive force of brutality? I don't think it is. When you the still (image) it doesn't look great but I do feel for him."
Fellow pundit Steven Thompson echoed McFadden's view, saying: "For me there is no endangering a player there or any malice in the tackle."
Despite the debate, Rangers secured the win to close the gap at the top of the table, while St Johnstone were left to rue a decision that reduced them to 10 men for the final 16 minutes.
