NafisaRangers supporters were still celebrating their team’s dramatic progression to the Premier Sports Cup final after beating Aberdeen 1-0 when Celtic fans brought an uncomfortable reminder of what happened at Hampden.
Ryan Naderi’s 83rd-minute winner had sent Rangers through to the December showpiece, but the celebrations were soon overshadowed by footage of two controversial incidents that could have dramatically changed the outcome of the semi-final.
The first involved James Penrice’s dangerous challenge on Aberdeen midfielder Afeez Aremu, which former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett believes should have resulted in a straight red card.
The second was an Aberdeen penalty appeal after the ball struck Dujon Sterling’s forearm inside the Rangers penalty area. Referee Ryan Lee and VAR official John Beaton allowed play to continue, despite the protests.
Celtic supporters were quick to highlight both incidents online, and the discussion became particularly uncomfortable for Rangers because even some of their own supporters acknowledged that the decisions had gone in their favour.
Keith Hackett Confirms Rangers Were Fortunate to Keep Penrice on the Pitch:
The first controversy centred on Penrice’s challenge on Aremu during the early stages of the match.
The Rangers defender caught the Aberdeen midfielder with a dangerous challenge, but referee Lee decided against showing a red card or even issuing a yellow.
The decision immediately attracted attention, but the criticism intensified after Hackett reviewed the footage.
The former PGMOL chief was left astonished that Penrice had escaped punishment and delivered an unequivocal verdict when speaking exclusively to Ibrox News.
He said:
“Wow. That’s a nailed-on red card.
“The challenge clearly endangered the safety of his opponent and fulfilled the criteria for Serious Foul Play.
“Look at the landing area into the chest of his opponent.
“Surely elite officials cannot allow that type of challenge to go unpunished – where was VAR?”
Those comments have given Aberdeen supporters further reason to question the officiating, while Celtic fans have been able to point to an incident that could have left Rangers playing with ten men for most of the contest.
Had Penrice been dismissed, the entire semi-final could have unfolded differently.
Celtic Fans Also Highlight Sterling’s Handball Inside Rangers’ Box
The second incident arguably created an even more uncomfortable discussion for Rangers supporters.
During Aberdeen’s attack, the ball struck Dujon Sterling’s forearm inside the Rangers penalty area, prompting immediate appeals for a spot-kick.
However, referee Lee rejected the claims, while VAR official John Beaton did not recommend an on-field review.
The decision quickly became a talking point online, with Celtic supporters sharing footage and questioning how Aberdeen had failed to receive a penalty.
One Celtic fan account, The Parkhead Faithful, shared the clip with the caption:
“How odd? 👀”
The reaction was not limited to supporters of Rangers’ city rivals. Some Rangers fans also acknowledged that the contact involving Sterling looked like a penalty, adding another uncomfortable dimension to the debate.
For Aberdeen, the frustration was obvious. They had appealed for a potentially decisive spot-kick, only for the officials to wave away the incident and allow the game to continue.
The fact that both incidents went against Aberdeen has now become central to the criticism surrounding the semi-final.
Rangers’ Cup Final Celebration Takes an Uncomfortable Turn
What initially looked like a straightforward celebration of reaching the final has consequently developed into a much more complicated discussion.
Rangers did eventually find the breakthrough in the 83rd minute, with Naderi redirecting James Penrice’s effort from close range to secure a 1-0 victory.
But supporters have been forced to revisit the two incidents after Celtic fans began circulating the footage and questioning the decisions that allowed Rangers to finish the match with eleven players and without conceding a penalty.
Hackett’s assessment of the Penrice challenge has made the red-card controversy particularly difficult to dismiss. Meanwhile, the Sterling incident has continued to divide opinion, especially after some Rangers supporters themselves appeared to accept that Aberdeen had a legitimate penalty claim.
Neither incident resulted in the punishment Aberdeen wanted, and Rangers ultimately progressed to the final against either Hearts or Hibernian on December 13.
For Celtic supporters, the footage has provided an opportunity to question the circumstances surrounding Rangers’ victory. For the Ibrox faithful, however, the timing has been far from ideal.
They have their cup final place, but the debate over whether Aberdeen were denied two potentially decisive decisions has taken much of the shine off the celebrations.
Nafisa
