John Lundstram avoided an early red card in the Europa League final despite Sebastian Rode requiring medical treatment following a boot to the head.
Just seven minutes into Rangers’ European showpiece against Frankfurt, Lundstram raised his boot and left Rode with a cut to the head that had to be bandaged.
However, the former Sheffield United midfielder was not booked due to Rode dipping his head moments before contact was made.
The 31-year-old subsequently changed kit with his original shirt covered in blood.
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Despite appeals from the Frankfurt bench for Slavko Vincic to show a red card, a VAR review conducted by Pol van Boekel deemed no action necessary.
Lundstram’s tackle was ultimately deemed careless – which does not necessarily require disciplinary action – rather than reckless, which would have warranted at least a yellow card.
Moments later, Lundstram allowed Daichi Kamada through on the counter-attack but his effort was saved by Allan McGregor.
BT Sport pundits realised he may have been fortunate to stay on, however, with Owen Hargreaves saying it was “thankful the ref stayed out of it”.
“I was a little bit surprised, he could have got a yellow card, but you could see immediately it was accidental,” added Ally McCoist.
Former Rangers striker Kenny Miller admitted VAR could have potentially had a huge impact on the final’s outcome. “Sometimes when you see blood from a tackle, that can influence the referee,” he said.
“It’s a high foot but it’s also a head down, so the referee has given John Lundstram the benefit of the doubt.”
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