Qudus SalihuIn a move that has further inflamed the Ibrox faithful, referee Nick Walsh has reportedly broken his silence following the controversial 2-1 defeat to Hearts on December 21, 2025. The match, which saw Rangers fall 12 points behind the league leaders, was marred by a contentious VAR decision to disallow a Bojan Miovski opener and a late penalty claim that went ignored.
Following Mike Dean’s explosive “cheated” allegation, Walsh reportedly defended the process, citing that the offside lines used by the VAR team—led by Grant Irvine—were “mathematically definitive.” Walsh reportedly dismissed the notion that the atmosphere at a rocking Tynecastle influenced his decision-making, insisting that the on-field calls were made based on the “clear and obvious” threshold.
However, his explanation has only served to anger the entire Rangers fan base. Supporters have flooded social media to point out what they call “the line over the toe” error, where the VAR lines appeared to be drawn incorrectly to favor the home side. Fans have been particularly incensed by Walsh’s refusal to award a late penalty for a foul on Youssef Chermiti, with many labeling his defense of the officiating as “arrogant” and “out of touch.”
”To come out and double down after such a blatant error is a slap in the face,” one prominent Rangers fan account posted. “Walsh has a history of these ‘controversial’ calls against us, and his latest response shows he has no intention of being held accountable. He’s not just lost the plot; he’s lost the respect of every fan in the country.”
The fallout has become a full-blown PR disaster for the SFA. With Danny Röhl’s title hopes in tatters and Mike Dean pulling back the curtain on the “paralysis” of Scottish officials, Walsh’s attempt to bridge the gap with supporters has backfired spectacularly. Instead of calming the waters, he has galvanized a fan base that is now demanding a formal investigation and his removal from future high-stakes fixtures involving the club.
Qudus Salihu
Rabiu Aminu
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