Jordan Obita Rangers penalty call splits the pundits as 'clumsy' Hibs star lands loaded Dujon Sterling defence
Michael Stewart insists Rangers should NOT have been awarded a penalty during their Scottish Cup clash with Hibs.
However, the former Easter Road midfielder was alone in his verdict as both Billy Dodds and John Collins backed up referee Steven McLean over his call at Easter Road. Hibs defender Jordan Obita was tracking Dujon Sterling into the box and appeared to trip the versatile Rangers star as he burst into the box.
That saw McLean point to the penalty spot - with VAR backing up the man in the middle following a quick-check. That allowed James Tavernier to step up to the spot - and while his initial effort was saved by David Marshall, John Lundstram would latch on the rebound to open the scoring for Philippe Clement's side. But irked Stewart insists that McLean got the big decision wrong - and that if the whistler had not given the foul VAR would not have corrected his call. He said on Viaplay: "I'm not sure he clips him. Ir's just clumsy.
"Sterling just feels the contact and goes over. It's a difficult one. I don't think that is a penalty. I think Sterling feels a bit of contact and falls over. I don't think there is any clipping of the heels.
"I don't think Obita impedes him and I think when Sterling feels any contact he has gone down. I don't see that as a foul. Some will say he has pushed him or fallen into the back of him - you are playing football there will be contact. I don't think there is anything there that would constitute a foul."
Pressed on if a penalty had not been awarded would VAR intervene, Stewart went on: "Possibly. Yep, if he had played on VAR may have not got involved. When you look at it I'm trying to see if he has impeded him. There is contact but it's not a foul."
But ex-Hibs boss Collins backed
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