“If Rangers had got a penalty and scored, we could still have come back and won the game, 100 percent” – Celtic Player Makes Bold Claim About Rangers’ Premier Sports Cup Final Penalty Incident

Last weekend’s Premier Sports Cup Final between Rangers and Celtic showcased a thrilling encounter that ended in a 3-3 draw, with Celtic ultimately triumphing in a penalty shootout. Despite the dramatic conclusion, discussions surrounding the match have focused on one key incident—a denied penalty for Rangers.

Rangers’ manager, Philippe Clement, praised his team for their efforts, as they pushed Celtic to the brink. However, controversy erupted over a penalty decision that was not awarded for a foul by Liam Scales on Vaclav Cerny, a call that many viewed as pivotal.

The decision, deemed incorrect by referee Willie Collum during a discussion on the VAR Review show, sparked widespread criticism. The Scottish FA’s referee chief described the decision as “unacceptable,” further fueling fan outrage. Rangers supporters also voiced dissatisfaction with their club’s response, which they felt lacked strength. Meanwhile, Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell dismissed allegations of bias, attributing the error to human fallibility—a stance that was met with additional backlash.

Arne Engels Comments on Celtic’s Victory

Celtic player Arne Engels added his perspective on the final, sparking further debate. Speaking ahead of Celtic’s match against Dundee United, he asserted that his team’s performance was strong enough to secure the win, regardless of the missed penalty.

Engels stated:

“I’m not aware of everything that’s been said but last Sunday we showed that we’re a really good team who can perform in the big games.

We deserved to win it and that’s why we were on the podium. That’s all that matters. If Rangers had got a penalty and scored, we could still have come back and won the game, 100 percent. We’ve already shown a few times that we can come back.

We won the cup, which is the most important thing. I don’t want to talk about anything else. We’ve shown that we have such a strong squad who performs on the big occasions.”

Rangers’ Perspective on the Missed Opportunity

Rangers held the upper hand at various points in the final. They dominated large portions of the game and came close to doubling their lead at 1-0, missing a key opportunity when Hamza Igamane’s decision-making faltered during a four-on-one advantage.

Momentum appeared to be in Rangers’ favor, and a successful penalty could have shifted the game’s outcome. The VAR decision not to intervene left many questioning its impact on the match’s trajectory.

Despite the disappointment, Rangers responded positively, securing a win against Dundee in their next match, with Cerny—the player involved in the controversial penalty incident—emerging as the decisive factor.

In other news, Rangers React to Willie Collum’s Admission of VAR Error