Rangers 'express serious concerns' to SFA over return of blundering officials

Rangers have expressed "serious concerns" to the Scottish Football Association about the festive appointments of the two blundering Premier Sports Cup final officials.

The SFA's head of referees Willie Collum admitted last week that the way the Ibrox side were denied a spot-kick against their Old Firm rivals at Hampden Park on 15 December by VAR Alan Muir and assistant VAR Frank Connor was "really, really poor" and "unacceptable".

In extra time, with the teams tied at 3-3, referee John Beaton blew for a foul just outside Celtic’s penalty area when Hoops defender Liam Scales fouled Gers winger Vaclav Cerny.

However, television replays showed the infringement carried on inside the penalty area and, after the free-kick came to nothing, Celtic went on to win 5-4 on penalties after a draw over 120 minutes.

Both officials were stood down for the weekend but Connor will run the line when Kilmarnock face Aberdeen at Rugby Park on St Stephen's Day and when Celtic host St Johnstone on 29 December, while Muir will be the VAR at St Mirren versus Dundee on the same day.

The Ibrox club on Tuesday released a stinging statement which also claimed the governing body’s actions "raise questions about their commitment to improving officiating standards".

The statement read: "Rangers FC has contacted the Scottish FA to express serious concerns and ask several questions regarding the swift reinstatement of the two VAR officials involved in the officiating failure during the recent Premier Sports Cup final.

"We also note one of the officials has been appointed to an SPFL Premiership match involving the club that benefitted from the error.

"The Scottish FA’s actions raise questions about their commitment to improving officiating standards and fostering