Why Cyriel Dessers handball before Rangers goal was NOT given as 'screaming' Hearts pointed to IFAB rules

Richard Foster has declared that Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers' alleged handball in the build up to one of his strikes against Hearts was "accidental."

And the former Ibrox star insists referee Nick Walsh and Don Robertson in the VAR room were right not to intervene during to disallow the fourth of the afternoon as Philippe Clement's side ran riot at Ibrox. The Light Blues extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership by thumping Steven Naismith's side 5-0 - but there was some controversy over the Dessers' double.

Dujon Sterling whipped a cross into the box that initially appeared to come off the arm of the Nigeria international - despite being placed by his sides. Play then broke across the six-yard box before the frontman beat the Hearts defence to the bobbling ball beyond Zander Clark. Quizzed about a potential handball on BBC Sportscene, Foster was quick to point out that the 29-year-old didn't mean the initial contact when meeting Sterling's ball in.

The former Rangers defender said: “I think it’s accidental, and because he doesn’t score straight away and there is a couple of touches in between then and the goal. I think that is why it’s allowed. I mean, if I’m Hearts I’m screaming for it and I’m wanting the handball but his movement and his composure in that area deserved a goal.”

Accidental is the key word used by Foster - at least in the view of IFAB. The rules state that "accidental handball that leads to having a goal-scoring opportunity or a to a team-mate scoring a goal will no longer be considered an offence" - which stands up the decision of whistler Walsh and the VAR team.