Ex-PGMOL chief claims Aberdeen star should have been sent off in Rangers win

Rangers‘ 4-1 win over Aberdeen should have seen Emmanuel Gyamfi sent off, Keith Hackett has said.

Danny Rohl’s side brushed the Dons aside at Ibrox on 21 March to reaffirm their Scottish Premiership charge, but the clash proved to be controversial.

Gyamfi went in for a heavy challenge on Tochi Chukwuani in the 69th minute and was given a yellow card by referee Matthew MacDermid, but many observers felt it should have warranted more.

Luckily, Rangers got the job done anyway, to come away with the vital three points, but it could have been more comfortable, amid the ex-PGMOL chief’s verdict.

What did Hackett say about Gyamfi controversy vs Rangers?

Gyamfi was previously in another controversy when he dived to win a free kick from Rangers star Thelo Aasgaard.

Hackett believes that he should have seen red for the challenge on Chukwuani, as it was far too forceful.

Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, he said: “There is no doubt in my mind that this is a serious foul play challenge and should have resulted in a red card.

“The player committing the offence used excessive force and endangered the safety of his opponent.

“The very nature of this challenge contained malice, so there really should have been no doubt that this challenge should be outlawed from the game.”

Why Rangers must force a referee meeting

Rangers have further evidence for their complaints about referees after Gyamfi’s foul on Chukwuani, it was a blatant red card.

The Gers have petitioned the other Scottish Premiership clubs for a meeting on the quality of refereeing in the division, as they have been irked by several controversies lately.

The Ibrox side are desperate to improve the quality of decisions, and are understood to have held discussions with the Scottish FA’s head of refereeing, Willie Collum, while also raising the issue at board level.

With the title race being so close, it would be such a shame if the championship were decided by bad calls from officials, and the issue must be taken seriously in the near future.

Right now, it is not good enough, and with the margins being so thin, it simply has to be improved, so the rest of the teams need to take up the Light Blues’ offer.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.