Michael Stewart accuses Rangers of attempting to ‘appease the masses’ but bemoans lack of SFA transparency

According to Michael Stewart, Rangers have been “appeasing the masses”

by trying to get Willie Collum kicked out of all upcoming games.

Collum handled the ball in the area under a challenge from

Abdallah Sima during the Old Firm derby last weekend while covering for VAR.

Nick Walsh was offside, but the Gers were furious that Walsh wasn’t told to go to

the screen to review the incident.

Before rumours circulated that the Light Blues had that Collum not be

allowed to play in any of their upcoming games,

Rangers issued a statement outlining a discussion with the SFA regarding the decision’s lack of openness.

Stewart criticised the refereeing chiefs for their lack of transparency on

the matter and stated that he believes they are just attempting to placate the fan support.

Speaking to BBC Sportsound, Stewart criticised the SFA for their inadequate handling of

the incident while also accusing Rangers of playing to the gallery by

carrying out their statement work out of sight.

“That’s deniability, that’s what it is,” Stewart declared.

There’s no doubt in my mind that they did that in private.

To please the masses and give the impression that they are standing up,

they have let it to be distributed.

“The SFA – there was an error, but it’s also a moot matter since, at its core,

the correct judgement was taken in the incorrect manner.

Although it was offside, so it wasn’t a penalty.

However, I completely agree with Rangers that something needed to be done when

it came to the investigation because it was handled so carelessly in an attempt to hide an error,

so I can understand why they are upset.

“A lot of this would have been eliminated if the SFA had declared, as Steve [Conroy] did, that “see,

there was a mistake made that was subjective but we feel that it probably should have been a penalty kick,

but it couldn’t have been a penalty because it was offside.”

However, attempting to do so only serves to fuel the many secrecy and lack of transparency,

it seems as like they’re trying to hide their tracks,

which in turn fuels the wild conspiracy theories.

“I believe that the SFA is right when they advise Rangers to exercise more

accountability and awareness of the games that are being played.

It’s common knowledge that politics and games are involved,

but you also need to acknowledge that the livelihoods and personal lives of the referees are also at risk.

“We all make mistakes, including Willie Collum.

Neither Rangers nor the SFA have performed very well in handling it.

Everyone must take stock of their errors and move forward.

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