Controversial Goal Decision in Rangers-St Johnstone Match

The Premier Sports Cup match between Rangers and St Johnstone was marred by controversy over a goal scored by Cyriel Dessers, which St Johnstone players believed should have been disallowed due to a foul. Referee Matthew MacDermid appeared to signal for a free-kick before the goal, leading to confusion among players and resulting in protests from St Johnstone. Despite initial indications, VAR upheld the goal, prompting St Johnstone's manager Craig Levein and captain Kyle Cameron to express their frustration over the decision. Pundits, including Neil McCann and Marvin Bartley, acknowledged that while the referee's ultimate decision was correct, his actions on the field caused significant confusion that impacted player behavior. St Johnstone has since demanded an explanation and access to VAR's audio recording regarding the incident. The situation highlights ongoing concerns about communication between match officials and players in high-stakes games.