Rangers booked their spot in the Scottish League Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen at Hampden on Saturday, 31 October, but a flashpoint involving left-back James Penrice has dominated refereeing debate.

Operating in midfield alongside Nicolas Raskin, Penrice competed for a ball near the halfway line with Aberdeen’s Aremu Afeez during the first half. However, Penrice completely missed the ball, instead launching a high-footed, studs-up challenge into the midriff of his opponent.

Mark Clattenburg makes The Karate Kid jibe at James Penrice after Rangers vs Aberdeen incident

Speaking on the latest episode of the So Near, Yet So VAR podcast on Monday, 2 November, former FIFA official Mark Clattenburg spared no feelings in criticising the decision. Joined on the panel by fellow former SPFL referee Bobby Madden, Clattenburg was bewildered that Penrice remained on the pitch. He said:

I thought I wasn’t even watching football. I was watching my favourite, The Karate Kid. Listen, it’s more justifiable and easier to understand when the ball isn’t really that high. If you look at it again, the ball isn’t really there, and I think the player knows what he’s doing.

Clattenburg went on to explain why the physics and body language of Penrice’s tackle left the match officials with no defence. The former Premier League referee admitted his surprise at Lee and Beaton deciding against dishing out a red card, insisting that Derek McInnes and Co. could have had no complaints had the Rangers star been sent off.

I think he’s just decided he wants to catch his opponent high with his studs. And when you’re playing the ball, when you’re trying to play, you don’t go in like that. You would go in with your body. You would go in with your knee. You don’t go in with your studs and then make a clear movement with the studs towards an opponent’s ribs, hip, wherever we want to call it.

I was surprised it wasn’t red. I’ve seen it in real time… For me, when it’s not a footballing action, then you can never support a player’s actions, and I think when a referee gives a red, then nobody can have any argument.

With both Madden and Clattenburg in full agreement, Rangers and Penrice can consider themselves fortunate to have navigated the semi-final encounter without losing a man. It is worth noting that the AEK Athens loanee went on to assist Ryan Naderi for the 83rd-minute match-winner, meaning Aberdeen will be furious about the decision.

Clattenburg and Madden are not the only refereeing experts to have slammed the controversial decision. Former SFA referee Des Roache is also of the view that Penrice deserved to be sent off for his challenge on Afeez.