Rangers manager Walter Smith backs referee's call-off decision

Published on Sunday 1 November 2009 16:06

RANGERS manager Walter Smith had no complaints about referee Mike Tumilty's decision to abandon their Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against Dundee United this afternoon.

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The match at Tannadice was halted at half-time after the match official and his assistants assessed the playing surface during the interval as torrential rain worsened.

His decision was a blow for the Scottish champions, who had headed into the interval a goal ahead thanks to a Steven Davis strike.

But Smith was far from surprised by the referee's decision, admitting: "I thought there was a possibility it would be called off when I watched from the stand in the first half.

"The water was starting to gather and I thought it would be a decision the referee would have to take.

"I don't think we can complain, although we are disappointed after working hard to get 1-0 up. I don't think I can argue with the referee's decision, I think he was quite right."

Asked whether the match should have been called off before the start, Smith replied: "It was just one of those circumstances that happened.

"He was right to abandon the game and he was also right to play the game because I don't think it would have been justified to put the game off at the start.

"In fact, I thought the referee handled the game well today despite the circumstances."

Some Rangers fans were clearly unhappy with the referee's decision and, although disappointed himself, Smith refused to lay any blame with Tumilty.

He said: "Everybody wants to play but we have to accept the decision and I stress again that it was the right decision.

"The referee didn't want to put the game off either so it's just one of those things that we have to accept."