Hibs picked up on a theme started by Michael Nicholson when their Twitter/X account covered today’s match from Ibrox.
As soon as the SFA announced that David Dickinson would referee the match with Andrew Dallas on VAR duty the outcome of the fixture was almost guaranteed.
With Willie Collum out of commission for SPFL matches it was the third time since the winter break that Dickinson has been in charge of Philippe Clement’s side, anyone in any doubt about his football ‘leanings’ only needed to check the body language when Clement’s side scored at Hampden in the semi final of the League Cup at Hampden.
Penalty to Rangers. Who had 20 minutes?
— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) March 30, 2024
With a cross flighted into the penalty box Hibs defender Nectarios Triantis took a step back to clear with John Souttar running into him, the sort of run of the mill contact you see at every corner of delivery into the penalty area.
Play continued, no one claimed then Dallas decided to pause the game, from that moment on no-one was in any doubt about what was about to be played out, to prevent any fuss James Tavernier claimed the ball.
The usual pretence was then played out, another 60 seconds of a hold up, Dickinson summoned over to the pitch-side monitor, going through the motions then turning to point dramatically to the penalty spot as his friends and family celebrated.
James Tavernier saw his penalty saved by David Marshall with Scott Wright netting from the rebound but his effort was cancelled out for encroachment.
The home side went on to win 3-1, an outcome as predictable as the fact that Crawford Allan is following instructions regarding the matches that Collum is allowed to be involved in.
CLICK HERE for BBC match report from Ibrox.
CLICK HERE for the three critical questions that no-one asked Brendan Rodgers.
A record 17th domestic penalty awarded to Rangers in the Rangers v Hibs game at Ibrox today. pic.twitter.com/W8sQSU3hRn
— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) March 30, 2024
Maybe if your club had the balls to stand up and do something maybe things would change. Like the rest of the clubs you say nothing. If you are not going to do anything about it maybe you should stfu with your Tweets.
— Des Brownlie (@Desb65) March 30, 2024
Who had never a bloody penalty as well.
Same old VAR.
They would be as well calling it TAV.
Cheating refs.— G. (@GJS2010) March 30, 2024
Rather than make a joke and try and get clicks for your comment, do effin something about it, your being cheated….as we all are..
— Peter Marshall (@pmarsh226) March 30, 2024
Probably one of the Dallas household if not all, the son of a non anti catholic bigot is the main VaR man in Scotland..what could possibly go wrong
— Brian (@BmacTank) March 30, 2024
An absolute JOKE. Andrew Dallas YET AGAIN
— cowabunga1.2 (@2Cowabunga1) March 30, 2024
Its just cheating
Dallas on VARHibs need to question this
— eamonn (@eamonn1968) March 30, 2024
💬 “Penalty Rangers”
Celtic chief Michael Nicholson’s cutting reply when quizzed on referees and VAR at AGMhttps://t.co/6vJYJ8p66Ihttps://t.co/6vJYJ8p66I
— Scottish Sun Sport (@scotsunsport) November 22, 2023
