'What is he doing?' – Michael Stewart rages at what Matthew MacDermid did in Rangers v Hearts

Referee Matthew MacDermid’s delaying of full-time at the end of Rangers and Hearts’ Premiership match on Sunday left Michael Stewart baffled.

On commentary for Premier Sports (10 November, 6:55pm), Stewart was puzzled as to why MacDermid waited nearly a minute to flow for full-time, after Hearts had demanded a penalty for handball.

A cleared Jambos corner was lashed back towards goal by Blair Spittal from the edge of the box, but rather than blow immediately for a penalty, free-kick, or full-time, MacDermid left everyone in suspense.

Stewart said: “What is he doing? I don’t think anybody knows.

“To be honest, I think Dowell’s arm is down near his body, but the referee has been as clear as mud in terms of what was actually going on there.

“If it was full-time, why did he wait at least a minute or so in talking to the players, about something that was immaterial because the game was over. Blow your whistle.”

Rangers bailed out by late referee call against Hearts

Had MacDermid – following his lengthy pause for thought – given a penalty or free-kick Hearts’ way in the final seconds of the contest at Ibrox, it could have been curtains for the hosts’ hopes of three points.

The visitors had been knocking on the door right from the start of the second half, with Kenneth Vargas hitting the post just seconds after the restart in a “guilt-edge” chance for the Jam Tarts.

Although Dowell’s block of Spittal’s late shot absolutely struck his hand, it was hardly in an unnatural position and on second viewing looked to have come just outside the Gers’ 18-yard box.

Given how Hearts’ wasteful finishing was arguably the main reason Philippe Clement’s side clung on for the three points, an equaliser from a free-kick beyond added time would have been a kick in the teeth.

It would also have been nothing less than the Light Blues deserved for another passive display, and Clement will has plenty of work to do if his side are to avoid further late drama in the coming weeks.

In other Rangers news, fans won’t be happy with recent comments from winning goalscorer Dessers about his current form.

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