Rangers icon Allan McGregor explains why VAR was CORRECT to disallow Djeidi Gassama goal against Club Brugge
The winger thought he'd brought the Gers to within a goal of the Belgians only for VAR to intervene.
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Djeidi Gassama thought he'd scored to make it 3-2
Credit: Getty
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But VAR got involved
Credit: PRIME VIDEO
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Club Brugge keeper Simon Mignolet seemed to get his hands to the ball
Credit: PRIME VIDEO
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Allan McGregor was part of the punditry team
Credit: Willie Vass
It was a night to forget at Ibrox as Rangers slumped to a 3-1 defeat in their Champions League play-off first leg.
Few inside the stadium could quite believe what was happening as the Gers found themselves three goals down inside the opening 20 minutes amid an almighty defensive shambles.
Many fans had seen enough and headed for the exit door.
Danilo got a goal back early in the second half as the Gers attempted to mount a fightback.
They thought they'd got it back to 3-2 as the game approached its final stages with regular Euro hero Djeidi Gassama popping up with the goal.
However, it wasn't to be.
Gassama weaved his way into the box, saw a shot deflected before prodding the ball home from close range.
The referee gave the goal but the Brugge players weren't happy.
VAR got involved and the whistler was off to the monitor.
He was then shown that Brugge keeper Simon Mignolet appeared to have his hands on the ball first - BEFORE Gassama tapped it into the net.
Inside Rangers-themed barbers
After a quick look, the goal was chalked off leaving Ibrox deflated.
It was a controversial moment but one that ex-Gers No1 Allan McGregor believes the officials called correctly.
The laws of the game state a ball cannot be removed from a goalkeeper's possession when they are in control of it - and McGregor reckons Mignolet did indeed get his hands to the ball first before Gassama prodded home.
McGregor told Prime Video: "Unfortunately it probably is a free-kick, yeah.
"I never got a right good view of it but if the ball is in his hands first, which I think slightly it is, then he's deemed to be in control of it.
"Unfortunately it is a free-kick.
"By the way, he's done brilliantly to get it into that position."
McGregor was joined on the Prime panel by former Gers teammate Scott Arfield.
The current Falkirk ace agreed with the former keeper's assessment.
Arfield added: "I do agree because obviously Allan doesn't want to say that but he's also a member of the goalies' union.
"You have to say he's got the two hands on the ball, it is a bit soft, but he is in control.
"It's one of them, if it's for you you're delighted."
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