4 Rangers players 'can't believe' Sima goal was given as David Martindale reveals explosive Ibrox fess-up

David Martindale has claimed up to four Rangers players told him they couldn't believe Abdallah Sima's goal stood at Ibrox.

The bemused Livingston boss fumed at VAR and referee Willie Collum for the decision that led to the opener in the Viaplay Cup quarter-final at Ibrox. Winger Sima appeared to shove Lions defender Jamie Brandon before pinging a cute effort past Shamal George after ten minutes before Michael Beale's men went on to hammer the West Lothian outfit 4-0, booking a Hampden showdown with Hearts in the last four.

But the controversy was centred around the early flashpoint with pundits and raging fans alike all seemingly unanimous in feeling the goal should have been chopped off. And, according to Martindale, even from within the Ibrox camp there was a feeling that they 'couldn't believe' that the strike stood. He told Livingston TV: "The first goal is the game changer when you came away to Ibrox, Parkhead, the big clubs, it's really really difficult.

"The first goal changes the dynamic of the game and it is a foul on Jamie. I can say more here than I can on TV, it's a blatant foul. I'm not going to tell you who I spoke to, I spoke to three of four Rangers players and they're all saying the same thing - 'can't believe the goal was given, can't believe that it wasn't a foul'. Now I can pretty much guarantee we're not getting that if it's at the other end of the park."

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