'Anywhere else on the pitch, that's a free kick' - Pundits and manager react to Hibs penalty claims against Rangers

Referee Willie Collum waved away two penalty claims by Hibs in their 1-0 loss at Ibrox

Ianis Hagi’s first-half goal turned out to be the winner for the hosts but the Capital club battled hard for the full 90 minutes and had two second-half penalty claims waved away by referee Willie Collum.

One incident saw Ryan Porteous tumble after a challenge from Gers captain James Tavernier following a corner kick routine while the other involved goalscorer Hagi catching Easter Road midfielder Joe Newell in the face with a high boot inside the area.

Both instances looked like decent shouts for the visitors but the Edinburgh outfit left Govan empty-handed as Rangers held on for victory.

After the match, the Hibs boss insisted his side should have had a penalty from the two incidents.

Speaking to Sky Sports Jack Ross said: “The Ryan Porteous challenge is a penalty kick. I wasn't too sure at the time but having been able to watch it back after the game, for me it's a penalty kick.

"We're trying to grow a mentality at the club that we're never satisfied when we lose games so we've got a disappointed dressing room but it's a day to accentuate the positives.

"I thought they were excellent; to push them as hard as we did is testament to just how far we have come.”

Hibs playmaker Scott Allan, summarising for Sky Sports, said of the Newell incident: “If that happens anywhere else on the park, it's a free kick. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't.

"But I think if that challenge happens anywhere else on the pitch then it's a free kick.

"We''ll take the positives from today and look forward to the two home games going into the Betfred Cup semi-final."

Ex-Rangers striker Kris Boyd also felt his former club was fortunate not to have conceded a spot kick.

He said: “Hagi knows: as soon as he hits the deck after the challenge he's looking at the referee. I think he got away with one there. He's been very, very lucky."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.If you haven't already, please consider supporting our sports coverage with a digital sports subscription.