Ibrox View: Rangers vs Dundee United ref watch: Three decisions John Beaton got terribly wrong

Rangers managed to see off Dundee United in a 4-2 win at Ibrox on Saturday, but referee John Beaton didn’t cover himself in glory.

The Bears came into this one with a big knock in the form of Tuur Rommens, with the left-back seemingly the “bigger issue” player whom Danny Rohl alluded to in his pre-match press conference, but it didn’t bother them.

Goals from Ryan Naderi, Dujon Sterling, Thelo Aasgaard, and substitute Bojan Miovski were enough to make sure Amar Fatah and Zachary Sapsford’s efforts accounted for nothing.

However, there could have been more trouble had some of Beaton’s decisions come back to bite.

Rangers have had their fair share of poor decisions go against them this season, and Beaton may now be added to the list of poor officials that the Bears have had this campaign.

Thelo Aasgaard wrongfully booked, caused domino effect of boos

The 49ers have made a move to combat Scottish Premiership standards regarding referring issues, with Beaton a prime example of why.

The referee doesn’t shy away from booking players. That’s not a problem, as long as it’s justified, which it wasn’t in the case of Aasgaard’s caution in the 16th minute.

Aasgard went up in the air against Vicko Sevelj to win a header, and both players had their arms raised, but it was the former who received a booking.

The Dundee United player went down and received some treatment for the incident, but then moments after play resumed Beaton got it wrong once more.

Advantage was played as Sterling was blocked off while running down the right flank, before Naderi picked up the pieces and was taken out by Krisztian Keresztes.

No foul was given, as the incident fueled Ibrox boos toward Beaton following the Aasgaard booking, which most didn’t agree with.

Derek Ferguson disagreed with foul given for ‘wonderful’ Nasser Djiga tackle

Nasser Djiga has become a real fan favourite at Ibrox, but the centre-back was left feeling aggrieved after his tackle on Dundee United striker Max Watters was given as a foul by Beaton.

The 23-year-old stopped Watters in his tracks in the 11th minute, and after the referee made his decision, Derek Ferguson made it clear that it was one he didn’t agree with.

Ferguson said, while speaking live on BBC Radio Scotland: “I think it’s a wonderful tackle. He wins the ball clearly. Yes, there’s contact, but he wins the ball. I can’t see how that’s a foul when he wins the ball so clearly. I don’t get it.”

Thankfully, the defender kept his head and helped Rangers see out the win for a huge three points.

Neil Farrugia’s subtle handball touch

Perhaps a more nitpicky highlight from a referring watch perspective, but Beaton failed to identify a clear handball by Dundee United’s Neil Farrugia.

In the fifth minute of the match, midfielder Emmanuel Agyei spread the ball from deep out to his team-mate Farrugia, as the Irishman took the ball down with a raised hand.

Fortunately, the bears were able to take back possession of the ball fairly quickly, getting numbers back, but the incident seemed to be one that went under the nose of many within Ibrox.

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