Rangers manager Philip Clement believes Rangers were denied a penalty before their “brutal” defeat by Celtic in the League Cup final.
Celtic won the trophy in a tense penalty shoot-out after the teams played out a thrilling 120-minute draw at Hampden Park.
But Clement was left fuming at VAR, believing his side should have been awarded a penalty early in the second half in what could have been a crucial turning point in the match.
Liam Scales grabbed a handful of Vaclav Cerny’s shirt and dragged him to the ground, receiving a yellow card for a foul.A free kick was awarded just outside the box.
Celtic’s Liam Scales brings down Rangers’ Vaclav Cerny on the edge of the box.
“I don’t know if you’ve seen the pictures, but my phone is overloaded with penalties about Czerny. I’m getting hundreds of messages about it right now. It’s a really defining moment in the game.
“Of course he (the referee) can’t see that moment. But he didn’t get the VAR to come and watch the screen, which is a really strange situation for me. At least, there’s no such situation in this kind of game , that the referee can make a decision that way.
“I didn’t see it at the time because I still have pretty good eyes, but I can’t see that far if the foot is outside, inside or on the line.
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Sky Sports News has ruled that Celtic beat Rangers to lift the Scottish League Cup
“So, no, but my phone is full of messages from everyone. I don’t know. So those are things I can’t control.
“I know everybody (the media) likes to delve into things, so maybe it’s an important moment to delve into that. About why there’s no communication at the moment about such a big decision, because it’s clear to everyone that it is it’s a game. making a decision.”
Clement has yet to beat Celtic as Rangers manager but was proud of the attitude of his players.
Rangers manager Philip Clement comforts Ridvan Yilmaz
“I wouldn’t want to be here talking about the penalty because I want to talk about the team and what they did today,” Clement said. “How brave they were after a big European night on Thursday and they gave a lot against Tottenham.”
“Two days less recovery and showing the physical levels they did today.
“Also the team spirit, the mentality and the good football. I think it was a really good game for Scottish football, this final.
“Everyone can be happy about it, but you want to win the cup.
“But we had to do a lot of extra things to make it our way if you don’t get a penalty like that.”
He thought the defeat, which came after Ridvan Yilmaz was the only player to miss his penalty, was “cruel”.
