James Tavernier has revealed what referee Irfan Pjelto told him after Rangers’ penalty appeal was denied against Athletic Club this evening.
The Ibrox side was eliminated from the Europa League in the quarter-finals after losing 2-0 to the Basque side.
Cyriel Dessers was pulled down in the box by Daniel Vivian’s shirt pull during the first half, with the score tied 0-0.
Whistler Pjelto didn’t give a penalty, but spoke to the Rangers captain after the incident: “He [the referee] said there was little in it,” revealed Tavernier [TNT].
“But you saw his top, and it was ripped. It’s one of those, it goes for you or it goes against you.
“I’ve got to give the boys credit for the energy they put into the game.”
Ally McCoist thinks Rangers should have had a spot-kick: “That’s a penalty,” he said [TNT Sports].
“He [Dessers] has every right to be unhappy. I’m not sure which part of that isn’t a penalty.
“It’s embarrassing, what a state of affairs. It’s an absolute embarrassment. Holy smokes.”
Ex Ibrox gaffer Giovanni van Bronckhorst was of a similar mindset: “He’s getting pulled, his shirt is damaged.
“For this, it’s a penalty. I want to know the explanation why not.”
Rangers return to action a week on Saturday, when they travel to St Mirren for the first of two Scottish Premiership post-split encounters.
