Mackay left livid by Sands call Colak at the double

County manager furious as USA defender dodges dismissal at Ibrox

MALKY MACKAY blasted an ‘inexplicable’ call from referee Don Robertson as Ross County slumped to a 4-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox. Striker Antonio Colak continued his fine scoring run with a brace and John Lundstram and Steven Davis were also on target for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side.

But Rangers were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men midway through the first half after James Sands twice tangled with forward Jordy Hiwula.

The American internationalist was already on a booking when he hauled down Hiwula as the striker attempted to burst towards Jon McLaughlin’s goal.

Sands would escape further punishment from Robertson as Rangers breathed a sigh of relief and went on to make the most of their reprieve from the officials.

The introduction of Leon King in place of Sands at the interval told its own story as Van Bronckhorst labelled the decision as a ‘close call’.

But Mackay was l ess t han impressed with the inconsistency from Robertson as two similar challenges were not treated in the same manner at Ibrox.

Mackay said: “Jordy ends up on the edge of the box and skips past Tavernier and I can’t believe it wasn’t a booking. Sands pulls down Jordy with two hands around his waist.

“He’d been booked but it’s inexplicable how it’s not a straight red, never mind a booking which would take him off. They took him off at half time which shows what they think.

“I can’t see how anyone who sees it on TV will think differently. The dynamics of the game changes if he goes off.

“I’m not saying what might happen but Aberdeen against Livingston was 0-0, Livingston lose a player and it’s 5-0 to Aberdeen. The dynamics change and it certainly changed on that.

“There weren’t bodies in between, it was very straightforward. There was no need for him to go down, he rolled him and he was away. We are disappointed with that.

“It makes it more sore that we’ve had two plays cited and banned retrospectively by the Scottish FA during the week. Two of my best players aren’t here then something goes against you like that. You need correct decisions to go for you at Ibrox.

“At the end of the game I wonder if Don realises something isn’t quite right because he said if he got it wrong he’d call me tonight. The fourth official said he didn’t he see enough.”