Clement Hits out at VAR Official After Controversial Penalty Call

Philippe Clement criticised video assistant Alan Muir for stopping working to send out referee John Beaton to the pitchside screen to review a charge claim for Rangers during an agonising defeat in the Premier Sports Cup last.

Speaking after his side lost on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw, Clement claimed Rangers must have had a spot-kick when Liam Scales drew back Vaclav Cerny three minutes into extra-time.

Video images revealed that the pull continued into the penalty location, with former referee Bobby Madden taking to social media to claim that it was ‘100 percent a penalty shot’ before revealing awe that the VAR authorities stopped working to recommend another appearance.

It was a view echoed by the Rangers boss after he became the first manager in the post-war period to go six Old Firm video games without a win. Clement claimed his side should have more than another heartbreaking defeat to their oldest competitors.

‘Football can be amazing great and amazing enjoyable. It can be very cruel. This was a really terrible one,’ said the Belgian. ‘I believe my group should have more today, producing more opportunities than the challenger.

‘Coming back in an excellent way and losing with penalties at the end, it remains a casino video game at that minute. But also, I don’t know if you saw the images back, however my phone is overloaded with the penalty circumstance with Cerny.

Philippe Clement insists Liam Scales’ difficulty on Vaclav Cerny must have been examined

Clement consoles Ridvan Yilmaz after the defender missed out on a charge in the Hampden shootout

Clement says Rangers did not deserve their heartbreaking defeat in the Premier Sports Cup final

‘I get numerous messages now about that. That’s likewise a really definitive minute in the game.’

Asked if he had actually talked to Beaton after, Clement absolved the match referee of any blame.

‘Naturally, (the referee) can not see that minute,’ he said.

‘But he didn’t get the interaction from the VAR to come to view the screen, which for me is an actually weird scenario.

‘I didn’t see it at the time because I still have rather good eyes, but even then I can not see that much range if the foot is outside or inside or on the line.

‘But my phone has plenty of messages from everybody. I don’t understand, but these are things I can not manage.

‘I understand that all of you like to dig deep into things. So possibly it’s also a very essential minute to go into that, about why there’s no communication in that minute about a huge decision like that, due to the fact that it’s clear for everybody it’s a game-decisive choice.’

The shootout defeat was painful for Rangers after they led at half-time through Nedim Bajrami, fell back early in the second half then pegged Celtic back twice through strikes from Mohamed Diomande and alternative Danilo.

Pleased with his team’s powers of durability and endurance after a Thursday-night clash with Tottenham Hotspur, Clement declared they should have more than another anguished defeat.

‘That’s why I would not like to be here to discuss the charge because I wish to discuss the group, what they did today, how brave they wanted a huge European night on Thursday, giving a lot versus Tottenham,’ he said.

‘2 days less recovery and showing the physical level they showed today. Also the group spirit, the mindset, however likewise excellent football. I believe it was a truly excellent game for Scottish football, this last, from both sides.

‘Which everyone only can be delighted about that, however naturally you desire to win that prize. But we had to do then a great deal of things additional to get it to our side, if you do not get a charge like that …’

Celtic defender Scales declares it never ever entered his mind that he ‘d be penalised with the award of a penalty shot.

‘I have not seen it back so I do not understand how near the line I am or whatever,’ stated the protector. ‘It didn’t seem to be delayed to go to VAR. I knew I fouled him, I understood it was a yellow card for the take on however it didn’t even come into my head that it was a penalty.

‘I thought it was on the edge of the box. I ‘d need to see it back.’

Clement declined to attribute any blame to Ridvan Yilmaz after the replacement left-back had his strike brilliantly conserved by Kasper Schmeichel to alter the course of the charge shootout, Celtic scoring all five kicks.

‘I spoke with him,’ the Belgian said. ‘There are a great deal of big names in who are huge stars in world football, who missed out on charges and even didn’t put the ball on target. So he took his obligation.

‘We’ve been practising the charges all season. He did truly well in that method, in the trainings. So it becomes part of football and I’m happy of guys who take responsibility in those moments.

‘That becomes part of being a footballer.

‘We’re on the wrong end today however it has to do with digging in, keep on working what they’ve been doing and like this to become much better and much better the next number of months.’