Hibernian's Dramatic Victory Over Rangers: Key Penalty Decision
David Gray insisted Hibernian’s contentious penalty at Ibrox was the only decision Don Robertson could make after VAR stepped in during his side’s dramatic 2-1 win over Rangers.
Josh Campbell’s first-half spot-kick and a stoppage-time solo strike from Callum Wright delivered a statement victory for the Easter Road side in Glasgow, on an afternoon that swung wildly in the closing stages.
Jordan Obita’s late own goal, five minutes from time, had ignited belief inside Ibrox that Rangers would complete the comeback. Instead, Hibs punched back, catching the hosts cold to rip all three points from their grasp at the death.
The flashpoint, though, arrived long before that frantic finale.
Robertson pointed to the spot in the first half after Vanja Dragojević was judged to have hauled down Jason Kerr at a set piece, a call that split opinion inside the stadium and beyond. VAR advised the on-field review, and once the referee watched the replays, the penalty stood.
Gray, speaking after full-time, was in no doubt the officials had reached the correct outcome.
“Straight away the referees have come in and spoke to us about it,” he explained, referencing pre-existing guidance on grappling at corners. It is an area officials have tried to clamp down on, with defenders warned that focusing on opponents instead of the ball would be punished.
“At the time I didn't think much of it and my goalie coach said straight away it could be a penalty,” Gray admitted. The move continued, Rangers broke, and for a moment the incident seemed to drift into the background — until VAR pulled it back.
Once Gray saw the footage, his stance hardened.
“Seeing it back now I think the officials and VAR have no option but to give it. He's put them in a position where they have to give it. He's not looking at the ball, he's impeding the player that's trying to head the ball and the ball lands in that area.
“It's left the referee no choice but to give the penalty and I think it's the right decision.”
On a day when Hibs showed nerve and clarity in the key moments, their head coach was just as decisive in his assessment of the game’s biggest call.
