“WE WERE THE BETTER SIDE, BUT THE REFEREE JEOPARDIZED EVERYTHING” – Neil McCann Slams Match Official Despite Heavy Defeat at Ibrox
Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann delivered one of the most explosive post-match interviews of the season after his side fell to a 5–1 defeat against Rangers at Ibrox, insisting the referee “changed the entire direction of the game” with a series of early decisions that, in his view, destroyed his team’s chances.
On paper, the scoreline suggested total Rangers dominance. James Tavernier opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 5th minute, and from there the hosts never looked back. Goals from Bojan Miovski (58’), Andreas Skov Olsen (74’), Oiva Antman (89’) and Mikey Moore (90+3’) completed a ruthless performance in front of the home crowd. Kilmarnock’s only reply came late through Greg Kiltie in the 84th minute.
But McCann saw a completely different story.
The Kilmarnock manager pointed to the fourth-minute red card shown to defender D. Thompson as the moment the match was effectively decided before it had even begun. Reduced to ten men almost immediately, Kilmarnock were forced into a defensive reshuffle that McCann believes handed Rangers both psychological and tactical control of the contest.
“We were the better side before that decision,” McCann said. “I don’t care what the scoreline says. The referee jeopardized everything we prepared for. Four minutes in, and the entire game plan is thrown into the bin.”
He also questioned the penalty awarded moments later, which Tavernier calmly converted to give Rangers the lead. According to McCann, the combination of the red card and early penalty left his players “mentally fighting two battles at once” — against Rangers and against the officiating.
“You cannot go down to ten men that early, concede a penalty, and expect to play your football the way you prepared all week,” he added. “From that moment, it became survival, not competition.”
Despite Rangers’ clinical finishing in the second half, McCann refused to credit the hosts without returning to the officiating controversy.
“Yes, they scored goals. But the game was already broken long before that. We were chasing shadows because we were chasing injustice first.”
The remarks have sparked debate among supporters, with some Rangers fans dismissing the comments as excuses after a heavy defeat, while others acknowledged that an early red card can dramatically alter the rhythm of any match.
For McCann, however, the damage was already done before Rangers began their scoring display.
“The referee didn’t just influence the game — he decided it,” he concluded.
While Rangers celebrated a commanding 5–1 victory at Ibrox, the conversation after the final whistle was dominated not by the goals, but by McCann’s furious claim that Kilmarnock never truly got the chance to compete.
