NafisaRangers enjoyed a convincing afternoon at Ibrox on Saturday, but their emphatic victory over St Johnstone has been followed by another talking point that could have consequences for the visitors beyond the final whistle.
Derek McInnes watched his side produce an impressive attacking display, with Kevin Kelsy scoring twice while Ryan Naderi and Tochi Chukwuani also found the net in a commanding 4-0 victory. The result moved Rangers to within a point of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership, giving the home supporters plenty to celebrate.
However, the match was not without controversy. A second-half incident involving one of St Johnstone’s attacking players and Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin prompted a VAR intervention, leaving the visitors a man down for the closing stages.
The decision has since sparked debate among supporters and football pundits, with questions raised about whether the challenge warranted such a severe punishment.
Now, the disciplinary consequences of that incident are becoming clear, with the player facing a suspension that will force St Johnstone to cope without him for upcoming matches.
Kai Fotheringham faces two-match suspension after Rangers red card
The player at the centre of the controversy is Kai Fotheringham, who was sent off in the 74th minute of St Johnstone’s 4-0 defeat at Ibrox.
The 23-year-old was shown a straight red card by referee Chris Graham following a challenge on Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin. Graham initially did not dismiss the forward, but VAR official Andrew Dallas intervened and recommended that the referee review the incident on the pitchside monitor.
After watching the footage, Graham changed his decision and sent Fotheringham off.
Under Scottish FA disciplinary rules, a dismissal for serious foul play carries an automatic two-match suspension. The suspension applies immediately and covers the player’s next two matches, subject to the applicable disciplinary regulations.
The suspension represents an additional setback for St Johnstone after their difficult afternoon in Glasgow, with the club having to plan for upcoming fixtures without the forward.
Why was Fotheringham sent off against Rangers?
The incident occurred when Fotheringham attempted a sliding challenge to win possession from Raskin.
Although the St Johnstone player appeared to make contact with the ball first, his follow-through brought his boot into contact with the Rangers midfielder’s leg, around the shin and ankle area.
The point of contact became central to the decision, with the referee ultimately judging the challenge to constitute serious foul play after reviewing the footage.
Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett supported the decision, arguing that winning the ball first did not excuse the dangerous nature of the follow-through.
Speaking to Ibrox News, Hackett said:
“The referee has judged that the action of the player is serious foul play. He has judged this on the contact of the player’s boot high on his opponent’s leg.
“The player, in clearly wet conditions on his backside, is out of control. Makes contact with the ball and then the player’s leg
“The fact that he made contact with the ball is frankly immaterial. Despite the claims of the player, the referee is left with no option but to issue a red card. Correct decision”
However, the decision has not convinced everyone. Former Rangers player Steven Thompson and Scotland international James McFadden questioned whether the challenge merited a red card during their analysis on BBC Sportscene.
Their disagreement highlights why the incident has become such a talking point, even though the referee’s decision resulted in a dismissal and the automatic suspension that follows.
Rangers were already in control before the controversial moment
While the sending-off changed the closing stages of the contest, Rangers had established a commanding advantage before Fotheringham was dismissed.
Kelsy opened the scoring in the 29th minute before Naderi doubled the lead shortly after the hour mark. Kelsy then grabbed his second of the afternoon to put Rangers firmly in control, with Chukwuani adding a fourth late on.
The result continued Rangers’ strong domestic run and put further pressure on Celtic ahead of their next league fixture.
St Johnstone, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a difficult afternoon in which they struggled to contain the home side’s attacking threat. The red card made an already challenging situation even harder, although Rangers had built their three-goal advantage before the dismissal.
For St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari, the immediate task will be to regroup and prepare his remaining players for the fixtures ahead.
Suspension adds to St Johnstone’s frustration
Fotheringham’s absence for two matches means the consequences of the Ibrox incident will extend beyond the 4-0 defeat.
The forward will be unavailable for his team’s next two matches under the standard suspension rules for serious foul play, leaving Valakari to consider alternative options as St Johnstone attempt to respond.
The controversy is likely to remain part of the discussion surrounding Rangers’ victory, particularly given the differing opinions offered by former players and officials.
However, the disciplinary position is clear: a straight red card for serious foul play carries an automatic two-match suspension under Scottish FA rules.
For Rangers, the result provided another valuable boost in the Premiership title race. For St Johnstone, the defeat has brought both a heavy scoreline and the loss of a player for two matches.
And for Fotheringham, the challenge on Raskin has turned one difficult afternoon at Ibrox into a suspension that will affect St Johnstone’s plans beyond the weekend.
Nafisa
