Rangers let Partick Thistle walk through team and score after controversial goal

12 February 2023 , 19:58

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Tempers flared between Rangers and Partick thistle

Scottish giants Rangers allowed opponents Partick Thistle to score directly from kick-off at Ibrox after Malik Tillman had bagged a goal for the hosts in controversial circumstances.

With the scoreline at 1-1, Rangers kicked the ball out to allow a stricken player to receive treatment. However, once play resumed, Tillman intervened before the visitors had the chance to kick the ball back. The goalscorer was actually the one who had gone down with a knock, which prompted Michael Beale's side to boot the ball out of play.

A throw on was taken by Partick, but their skipper Kevin Holt misscontrolled the ball and Tillman saw that as his chance to pounce. He capitalised on Holt's loose touch and controversially put Gers in front, but could barely wheel away in celebration before he was surrounded by furious opponents.

A 20-man brawl then followed, largely because of the fact Partick felt that they had been the victims of what they deemed to be unsportsmanlike conduct. Once tempers had simmered, Beale opted to tell his players to let Partick equalise directly from kick-off.

It was a decision that did not go down well with the home faithful, as they burst into a chorus of deafening boos and jeers while Scott Tiffoney waltzed through the Rangers half to draw things level.

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If his conduct is anything to go by, Rangers 'keeper Allan McGregor did not agree with the decision to let Partick score as he did make Tiffoney's life more difficult by briefly blocking a clear route for the winger to score.

Scott Tiffoney was allowed to equalise unchallenged for Partick Thistle against Rangers

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Beale discussed the moment after the game and insisted Tillman's decision to score and take advantage of Holt's poor control was simply a misunderstanding.

"There was a massive misunderstanding the whole thing," he told Viaplay Sport. "Malik gets injured, he's the boy that's injured and the ball goes out of play. He doesn't see what it's been kicked out for so naturally when he stands up, he thinks he's got to go on press. That's the instruction that he usually given.

"He hasn't seen the balls being kicked out and that Partick are going to kick it back to us. It is controversial but this football club is built on high standards and we want the best for the game. I didn't think that was right and I just didn't want to win a game of football like that."

Rangers went on to score again as James Sands bagged an 86th minute goal to ensure a 3-2 victory.

Josh O'Brien