For the second game in a row, Livingston boss Gary Holt has been left to rue poor refereeing decisions during his side’s match with Rangers
When the two locked horns a few weeks ago in Premiership action, Holt was critical of decisions that went against his side (Scotsman).
Now in the aftermath of their 1-0 League Cup defeat, he says that Filip Helander should have been sent off for a challenge on Lyndon Dykes. He goes as far as saying the referee agrees with his verdict.
He told the Scottish Sun: “I think the referee said he had look and said it was a red card after the game. He’s apologised to the players walking off and sometimes you have to accept he is man enough to do that.
“Yeah. It didn’t help us but I don’t think it cost us the game. We still created enough chances. We look at the performance and we were excellent to a man.”
Holt is right to be annoyed at decision during Livingston v Rangers
There were a few questionable moments during this clash. Robbie Crawford went down looking for a penalty and Rickie Lamie was perhaps lucky not to see red after an elbow on Joe Aribo.
Helander’s challenge on Dykes though shouldn’t have even prompted thought. It was a clear red card after the Swede clipped his Australian opponent.
He was through one on one, yet referee Don Robertson fails to spot a basic decision. It’s very poor refereeing and it could have handed Livi a big advantage.
Instead Helander stayed on and Rangers made it to the semi-final. Holt is keen to say it didn’t ‘cost’ Livi the game, but it could have given them an extra lift.
For the second consecutive match against Rangers, Holt has the right to be aggrieved by refereeing decisions.