A RANGERS podcast has been thrust into the centre of the club’s war of words with the Scottish FA – and called the governing body out over misrepresenting THEM.
Hampden officials hit out at the club’s statement following their face to face meeting to discuss the VAR audio and Alistair Johnston’s ‘handball’ incident in last week’s Old Firm clash.
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James Bisgrove and head of football operations Creag Robertson attended the meeting on behalf of the club but Gers sent a scathing statement afterwards and called on audio from decisions to be published publicly in future – just like England.
It later emerged that the club had requested WIllie Collum – the VAR official at the centre of the controversy – be removed from future Gers games.
But tonight the SFA hit back with a statement of their own contesting the club’s post-meeting report and slammed detailed requests from the private meeting being released by the Heart and Hand podcast online.
The podcast’s account on X.com, formerly Twitter, is mostly run by host David Edgar and operates under the handle @ibroxrocks.
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On Wednesday night the account tweeted: “I understand one of Rangers requests to the SFA is that Willie Collum cannot be allowed involvement in any Rangers match going forward.”
That irked the SFA who signed off their statement with an additional swipe and a warning over officials safety, saying: “We note posts from a recent official media partner of the club’s detailing requests from the private meeting that were immediately rejected.
“We would ask that club representatives show greater responsibility in such matters, especially in the context of recent incidents in European football that have compromised the safety of match officials and led to widespread condemnation.”
But H&H bit back shortly after the SFA statement was published and denied they were a direct club link.
Their tweet retorted: “Dear@ScottishFA: we are not an ‘official media partner’ of Rangers. Nobody is. That was a one season thing the club hasn’t done in three years.
“We are constantly referred to as such on Celtic websites right enough, so it’s pretty telling on where you are getting your info.”
And it cheekily encouraged more fans to join up, adding: “Given the accuracy of our reporting has just been confirmed by @ScottishFA, there’s never been a better time to sign up to our Patreon.
“Heart and Hand – SFA Certified for your Rangers news.”
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Rangers introduced a media partnership scheme for season 2021-22 and the podcast was one of those to sign up.
The club has raised numerous concerns since last months’ 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park and complained about the SFA timescale to meet and discuss their issues surrounding the handball and VAR audio.
Ref Nick Walsh awarded a goal-kick following a check of the incident involving Johnston and Sima where the Canadian slapped the ball out of play.
No penalty was given and later – in the second half – a still image of the lead-up to the incident was shown by Sky Sports, highlighting an offside call which would have wiped out any penalty award had it been given.
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