GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Livingston manager David Martindale before a William Hill Premiership match between Rangers and Livingston at Ibrox Stadium, on November 22, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
David Martindale has quickly got over the decision to deny Livingston a penalty at Ibrox on Saturday.
After the match the Livi boss was highly animated and emotional about the incident with the match level at 1-1.
A goal bound shot by Tete Yengi was handled by Manny Fernandez but referee Ross Hardrie decided not to apply the Laws of the Game.
NO-ONE SURPRISED
In the VAR studio boyhood Rangers fan John Beaton was on duty. Supporters of clubs throughout Scotland weren’t surprised by his decision not to intervene.
It wasn’t a borderline decision, penalties are awarded for similar incidents every weekend.
Fernandez watched the ball cross his body then raised his left arm to prevent it heading towards goal.
The SFA contacted BBC Scotland to claim that it had struck the defender’s body before his arm. It didn’t. Whether it did or didn’t makes no difference, a penalty should have been awarded.
On Super Scoreboard Livi coach Marvin Bartley revealed that he was told by an official that the handball was unintentional.
Pint in The Crown Bar for a kiss and make up ?
— Celtic Curio (@Celticcurio) November 27, 2025
Wee Davie joked:
I spoke to John and had a big debate with Willie Collum. We’ve arrived at a good place and Willie has agreed to take the free bar out of the VAR room pre-game.
They can open up post-game, but not pre-game! So there’s no more of that and I think that’s going to fix it.
He’s agreed to shut the bar and I’m happy. I don’t think we’re going to have any more problems again.
Not many Livingston fans were laughing at Ibrox but Martindale and Beaton seem to enjoy a certain bond.
Sharing the fraternal greeting the Livi boss added:
John phoned me personally. Good discussion. I’ve not got a problem with it, honestly. It’s a mistake, an honest mistake. Let’s move on.
There’s no use me sitting here kind of talking about it anymore.
I’m not going to put any more of my energy into a decision that kind of ruined what should have been a half-decent weekend for the club.
The content of that phone call can only be guessed at.
LEVELLING UP
It wouldn’t be the greatest surprise if Livingston are on the right end of some refereeing controversies in the next few games. Even with VAR these things tend to even themselves out for 10 of the 12 SPFL Premiership clubs.
Dundee and St Mirren will have to put up with Beaton on the pitch on Saturday.
Earlier this year Alan Muir was removed from VAR duties for denying Celtic a goal away to Hibs without any evidence.
It seems that Willie Collum has decided against taking similar action against Beaton, a fellow member of the influential Lanarkshire Referee Association.
Lol Norman Stanley Fletcher not wanting to rock the boat regarding his team not being awarded the stonewall penalty last weekend,on the hope if being measured up still for that blazer and the shiny brogues.
As for Fat Swally McMoist aka the ALKIE ,cummin in his pants at Raskin doing Lafferty to get the Bragga player sent off.
Not so much as a Glasgow kiss but an ibrox limp dick.
Livi fans should be furious with those flippant comments from their manager .
Bottom of the league and in need of every point they can get and the guy picking the side having a laugh and a joke with the cheats that denied them a stonewall penalty just because they all support the team benefitting from the corruption.
Incredible
Just watch Livingston get a penalty against us in a couple of weeks time
It’s not the free bar Willy wants to remove, it’s the free masons that want removing from the VAR room.
Brilliant, Thomas, and true. Also Bryan (above), my 1st thoughts exactly.
Let’s see if thickness is as funny come May….
HH
Hopefully another relegation – by just a few points – will see this fraud finally empfied and consigned to his correct level – junior fitba’.
” Listen John , ah dinnae mind getting shafted , we got the 3 points that’s aw that matters ,
cheers again John , bye for now , WATP FTP “
Belter!
The Scottish match officials are [allegedly] cheating football supporters across Scotland.
The only bright spot is that Scotland supporters will be going to the World Cup,
whilst the unacceptably poor match officials will be uninvited – yet again! 🙂
If that point or 3 is the difference between staying up & relegation then he deserves every bit of whats coming.