Livingston boss David Martindale still ‘frustrated’ with Rangers goal

David Martindale reflected with frustration on Rangers’ controversial first goal in the 4-0 win over Livingston at Ibrox on Wednesday night.

Gers attacker Abdallah Sima fired the hosts ahead in the Viaplay Cup last-eight tie and, while it looked like he had pushed Livi defender Jamie Brandon before scoring, referee Willie Collum gave the goal and VAR Nick Walsh did not ask him to review the incident.

Second-half goals from Ridvan Yilmaz, Sima, with the help of a deflection, and Ryan Jack in stoppage time took Michael Beale’s side into the semi-final where they will play Hearts.

Ahead of the game against bottom side St Johnstone on Saturday, Livi boss Martindale said: “I am probably a wee bit more frustrated by the decision.

“It is frustrating. We got a six-figure invoice the other day for VAR. It is a good bit above six figures and you get these decisions – you are hoping that VAR is going to help to make the right decision.

“In those circumstances it would have been beneficial if Willie had been asked to look at the monitor and if the on-field referee watches it and says it is not a foul, you probably take it a wee bit more on the chin.

“In hindsight, a wee bit frustrated, a wee bit angry by the decision.

“I get it, it is opinions. I know who was in the VAR room. They are all good referees and I know it all comes down to opinions.

“But for me I would rather the referee on the park gets the opportunity to use the technology and at that point if Willie says he doesn’t think it is a foul then it puts the debate to bed, it curbs any argument I have got.

“It is part of a phase of play that leads to a goal so does it need to be clear and obvious? I don’t think that comes into it.

“In any phase of play (leading to a goal) if there is an infringement it can lead to a goal being disallowed.

“I genuinely felt Willie was going to blow for a foul and then I thought okay, the technology, the people in the VAR studio will give us the foul.

“It is all about opinions at that point. I think there is enough force for Jamie to go down, you can clearly see it.

“I was at the (Rangers v Motherwell) game on Sunday and there was one on Tav (Rangers skipper James Tavernier) and I don’t think there was anywhere near the force used in that one but Rangers got the decision.

“So it’s going back to consistency, because I think there was more of an infringement last night than on Sunday. So I am a wee bit disappointed.”

Livingston announced on Sunday night that Baycup Ltd and sole director John McIlvogue had acquired a majority shareholding of the West Lothian club.

Martindale said: “He was in on Tuesday and floating around all the staff when I was training.

“We had a quick five-minute chat. I will hopefully get a good chat next week.”