Rangers penalty leaves rival stewing as Dumbarton boss reveals what he said to fourth official

Dumbarton gaffer Stevie Farrell believes a dodgy penalty decision killed off their hopes of giving Rangers a fright.

His League Two side eventually lost 4-1 to the Glasgow giants in their Scottish Cup fourth round tie. At 2-0 down, Farrell felt his side were still in the game. But when ref Alan Muir gifted Gers a spot kick for a foul on Rabbi Matondo in the box, James Tavernier converted to kill off Sons.

Farrell’s team then scored through ex-Ibrox kid Matthew Shiels before Scott Wright clinched it for Philippe Clement’s side. The Dumbarton boss was proud of his players’ performance but insisted the penalty award was a key moment in the 90 minutes.

He said: “I thought we gave a very good account of ourselves against a good side. I’m disappointed in the goals we lost. The first one was from a second phase at a corner and for the second we didn’t defend a cross which isn’t like us. I’m not sure the third one is a penalty. I’ve seen it back and I’m convinced it’s not.

“We gave ourselves a chance with the goal but Rangers went up the pitch on a breakaway. Moments are big in these games. At 0-0 Michael Ruth had a chance that hit Robby McCrorie in the face.

“When we play Rangers, we need those moments to go for us. That’s the lesson, you have to take those moments when you’re a lower league club against a Premiership side. Tonight it just didn’t go our way. We played really well and we looked a threat. On another night it wouldn’t have been 4-1.

“We’ve got the live feed and it wasn’t a penalty. I said to the fourth official when we scored - if it wasn’t for the penalty decision that would have made it an intense finish and difficult for Rangers. But the reality is he gave it.”