Smith laments penalty rejection

18 March 2011 07:00

Rangers manager Walter Smith felt the denial of a clear penalty award for his side proved crucial in their Europa League exit against PSV Eindhoven.

Jeremain Lens netted in the 14th minute as PSV went on to win 1-0 both on the night and on aggregate. Maurice Edu scuffed a great chance, Steven Naismith headed against the crossbar and Kyle Bartley's follow-up appeared to be handled on the line by PSV midfielder Atiba Hutchinson, which was missed by the referee, assistant and extra official behind the line.

Smith said: "You have got to look at the penalty situation. We had a couple of chances in the run-up to a clear handball on the line. I don't know how many officials we have got on the pitch but they all missed it."

He added: "It would have changed the game. It would have reduced PSV to 10 men and given us a chance to apply more pressure.

"Just afterwards Madjid Bougherra was brought down as well, which I thought was a clear penalty."

Smith admitted Rangers lost their momentum after Kyle Lafferty was stretchered off with a knee injury.

"He was doing well for us up front," Smith said. "He took a knock on the knee. I don't know how bad it is."

Smith revealed that there was even more concern over a knee injury to Bartley ahead of Sunday's Co-operative Insurance Cup final against Celtic.

The defender went down in the final minute but went back on, seemingly against the advice of the Rangers physio.

Meanwhile, Smith replied with a simple "no" when asked if he had been made aware of any developments in the long-running takeover saga. Craig Whyte was at Ibrox on Thursday night as he appears to be set to close in on a purchase of Sir David Murray's shares.

Source: PA