Michael Stewart admits the offside lines didn’t look quite right to him during Rangers vs Celtic — even though the correct decision was probably reached.
The Hoops advanced from their Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox 4-2 on penalties, setting up a semi-final clash with St Mirren, after a 0-0 draw across 120 minutes. Stewart was on punditry duty for Premier Sports and did question Daizen Maeda having an opening goal ruled out for Celtic in the first half.
Liam Scales was ruled to have been in an offside position as he flicked the ball on to the forward who nodded into the net. VAR intervened and drew the lines, with Scales judged to have drifted offside, although it was a very close decision. While the former Hearts and Hibs midfielder believes he was likely off, the way the lines were applied didn’t look quite right to him.
Michael Stewart on VAR use during Rangers vs Celtic
When asked if it looked correct, Stewart said on the broadcaster’s Social Club: “No, I think I said it in the studio, when you look at a monitor that is 10-15 feet away and it’s not like a phone that you can zoom in on, it’s difficult. You just look at it, and it’s all about trust.
“You’ve got to trust the lines are in the right place, but my gut is, I think Scales is offside, but Djiga, who is the deepest Rangers defender, the line is not drawn on him. His left shoulder, for me, appeared to be the deepest part of a Rangers defender. I think he would still be offside, but those lines just don’t look right.”
Having previously labelled him a ‘bombscare’ earlier this season, Stewart has praised Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez after a noticeable improvement in form. He also had a goal ruled out in the match after the ball struck his arm as the defender tried to attack a set-piece.
What Rangers player has impressed Michael Stewart?
Stewart said: Do you know a Rangers player that I’ll hold my hands up and say I was too quick to call? And it’s not Youssef Chermiti… Fernandez. By the way, he was good. I thought he was an absolute bombscare when he first came, and he still looks like he’s got a mistake in him. But I tell you what, he’s improving.”
Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton added: “See, when you thought he was a bombscare, I think it’s the way he plays the game. He looks as if he’s lax and lazy and he’s going to get caught on the ball. I think that’s just his nature. But I think he’s growing in stature as a player, absolutely.”