Rangers manager Phillipe Clement predicts scar left by controversial cup final defeat to Celtic will never heal
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Phillippe Clement has predicted that the mental scar left by the manner of Rangers’ Premier Sports Cup final defeat to Celtic will never fully heal. Liam Scales’ pull on Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny early in extra time was judged by referee John Beaton to have taken place outside the box, with a free-kick and a yellow card the only sanctions.
![[Liam Scales' pull on Vaclav Cerny in extra-time was deemed not be a penalty by officials]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/19/93364649-0-image-a-2_1734722524225.jpg)
Television replays showed that the infringement continued just inside the area, though, and VAR officials should have instructed the whistler to award a penalty. Having twice come from behind to make the score 3-3, Rangers went on to lose the final 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out.
![[SFA head of refereeing Willie Collum has since admitted a spot-kick should have been given]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/19/93364823-0-image-a-4_1734722885176.jpg)
The fallout from the Scales incident saw SFA head of referees Willie Collum publicly admit that a spot-kick should have been awarded after it emerged that the VAR team on the day — Alan Muir, Frank Connor and Andrew Dallas — were being left off this weekend’s match rota.
![[Kasper Schmeichel denied Ridvan Yilmaz in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Hampden]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/19/93364623-0-image-a-5_1734722893702.jpg)
And while Clement was quick to praise Collum yesterday for his swift response, the Rangers manager believes the injustice will always linger. Phillipe Clement was left frustrated after seeing his side lose the Premier Sports Cup Final. Liam Scales' pull on Vaclav Cerny in extra-time was deemed not be a penalty by officials.
SFA head of refereeing Willie Collum has since admitted a spot-kick should have been given. ‘This moment is going to stay a scar,’ he said. ‘I had a few moments like it in my career and this will stay one. But now I’m looking forward to making a bright future with the club and this team. All my focus, all my energy is into that.
