October 4, 2024

The Rangers manager, Philippe Clement, believes that players are “running around like penguins” in an attempt to avoid being penalized, thus he seeks clarification on the handball law.

There have been many doubts about the current legislation, and the advent of VAR has heightened the debate about what constitutes a foul.

Two events during Rangers’ 2-1 victory against Kilmarnock on Wednesday sparked additional conversation on the matter, which happened in both boxes.

Killie winger Danny Armstrong scored from the penalty spot in the 11th minute after his cross hit the arm of Gers midfielder John Lundstram inside the box.

Clement wondered why Rangers did not also get a spot-kick late in the game when Killie defender Lewis Mayo appeared to handle the ball inside the area.

He said: “I hope there can be more clarity about things in the future. I know there are decisions made in a grey zone.

“I don’t think for the handball rule it has become easier for referees or the VAR. It has become more difficult with the rule and the way it is decided by UEFA and FIFA.

“My job is to explain to my players what is handball or not. If they come onto the pitch feeling there is an injustice then we have a problem.

“I don’t say that was the case, but it needs to be really clear what is handball or not. I don’t think it is good for the game if all the players are running around with their hands on the back, like you see now.

“Even then when your hand is like that [out] it is sometimes handball. It is not good for the game if players run around like penguins.”

Rangers Oscar Cortes was forced off at Rugby Park

Image:Rangers’ Oscar Cortes was forced off at Rugby Park

Meanwhile, Clement revealed a specialist is looking into Oscar Cortes’ muscle injury, with no timeframe yet for the Rangers winger’s return.

The 20-year-old Colombia international hit the ground running after joining on loan from Lens last month, with the Govan club having an option to buy in the summer.

Clement confirmed striker Kemar Roofe and midfielder Ryan Jack will return to the squad for the home game against Motherwell on Saturday, but on Cortes he said: “Oscar will be out, I don’t know how long.

“We are looking into that with the doctor and specialist.

DUNDEE, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Rangers' Ryan Jack celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0 during a cinch Premiership match between Dundee FC and Rangers at The Scot Foam Stadium at Dens Park, on November 01, 2023, in Dundee, Scotland.  (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)
Image:Ryan Jack is back for Rangers’ game against Motherwell

“It is a muscle injury, but I cannot say much more at the moment.

“I don’t want to speak about a half-empty glass.

“I am focused now on the players who are available for this game, because otherwise I would have lost a lot of energy in the last couple of months and that is useless.

“It is a pity for him and the team, yes, it is an opportunity for another player to show it and to do it, it works like that.”

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