David Martindale has claimed that ‘three or four Rangers players told him that they can’t believe the goal was given in reference to Abdallah Sima’s opener at Ibrox in the Viaplay Cup.
In full view of the whole stadium the on loan Brighton forward barged Jamie Brandon to the ground then raced in to the penalty box to put the ball in the net.
Willie Collum’s decision to wave play on was hardly a surprise but there would barely have been a comment of criticism if Nick Walsh on VAR duty has disallowed the goal for a clear foul. Yesterday Walsh was back at the day job working on the fitness of Murray Park starlets at Boclair Academy.
There was nothing marginal or borderline on the incident but with an angry crowd on Micky Beale’s back the pressure was lifted by the decision to let Sima get away with a clear foul.
MARTINDALE: The first goal is the game changer when you came away to Ibrox, Parkhead, the big clubs, it’s really really difficult.
I fink that the first goal changes the dynamic of the game at that point , I fink that it is a clear foul on Jamie and I will be honest. Probably I can say a wee bit more on here than I been on television. I fink it’s a, it’s a blatant foul on Jamie.
LIVI TV: Watching it back at half-time it is a clear push, I think that the vibe in the media room was the same from all.
MARTINDALE: I’m not going to tell you who I spoke to, I spoke to free or four Rangers players and, er I spoke to, say Rangers players, spoke to free or four Rangers players and they’re all saying the same fing – ‘can’t believe the goal was given, can’t believe that it wasn’t a foul’.
Now I can pretty much guarantee we’re not getting that if it’s at the other end of the park but listen, it is what it is and we’ve got to take it on the chin.
It is mildly amusing that Martindale thinks that he can be more honest more about events on Livingston TV than he can with Viaplay Sports or BBC Scotland.
There has been so suggestion that Livingston will demand answers or an explanation or will insist that the SFA make public the audio conversation between Walsh and Collum.
Equally there is very little chance of Martindale being charged by the SFA as that would only bring more attention to the inability of their leading officials to deliver the Laws of the Game.
Nick Walsh.
On VAR for the first clip.
Referee for the 2nd.First clip stands as a goal.
Second clip he decides it’s a foul.It’s time referees were held to account. pic.twitter.com/V50IshlFpo
— Black & White Army (@bawarmy) September 27, 2023
THAT’S JUST BLATANT CHEATING NOTHING ELSE.
He should stop moaning. He set his team up to defend and kept his more aggressive players on the bench. 5 fouls v Rangers, nearly 3 times as many v other teams.
Was this conversation in the ludge, Davie?
Everybody’s talking but the square root of ABSOLUTELY FCUK ALL will never ever be done now or going forward I’m afraid !