No hiding place for new Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart as VAR controversy follows Hampden heartache
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Patrick Stewart no doubt hoped for a low-profile start to life as chief executive of Rangers. In an ideal world, day one would have brought nothing more taxing than an ascent of the marble staircase to find the Scottish League Cup glistening in the trophy room at the top.
![[The VAR officials chose not to intervene after Scales' tangle with Cerny at Hampden on Sunday]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/20/93208373-0-image-a-118_1734380645451.jpg)
Management and players would have been left to bask in the glory of a long-awaited victory over Celtic while the new man spent the day adjusting his seat and updating his computer password. In football, the best laid plans rarely come to pass. For Stewart, a lawyer who has spent a career in football doing his best to avoid controversy or headlines, visions of a quiet induction were shattered by the aftermath of another defeat to Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup final.
![[Philippe Clement is under pressure after failing to win any of his six matches against Celtic]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/20/93175527-0-image-m-120_1734380667039.jpg)
Philippe Clement’s record in Old Firm games now reads no wins from six and, for some supporters, that represents grounds for an immediate sacking. A more measured analysis would allow some mitigation for the nature of a defeat at Hampden where a controversial decision three minutes into the first period of extra-time proved critical to the outcome.
New Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart had plenty to contend with on his first day in the Ibrox job. The VAR officials chose not to intervene after Scales' tangle with Cerny at Hampden on Sunday. Philippe Clement is under pressure after failing to win any of his six matches against Celtic.
With a thrilling game finely poised at 3-3, Parkhead defender Liam Scales entangled himself in a right old mess on the edge of his own penalty area. Losing possession to Vaclav Cerny, a panicked foul outside the area was followed by a tug on the Czech winger’s jersey which continued into the penalty area.
