David Martindale is certain Rangers' opener against Livingston should have been ruled out.

The Lions manager insists Abdallah Sima was guilty of a "clear" push on his defender Jamie Brandon in the lead up to the goal at Ibrox.

However, Willie Collum waved play on and VAR Nick Walsh backed the decision with no on-field review of the initial decision.

"I think the first goal is a foul, I've watched it back myself there's clear hands-on and it's a push - not a huge push - but when you're running with momentum and a wee bit off balance and get a push you are going to fall," said Martindale in an interview on BBC Sportsound.

"For the life of me I don't know how we haven't got a foul...the first goal really, really hurts us, it spooks us. I'm disappointed because as it went to VAR review because it was in the phase of play that led to the goal my understanding was it doesn't have to be clear and obvious if it leads to taking the ball and putting it in the back of your net. I thought it would get overturned, and it never got overturned."

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And Martindale admitted he couldn't help but feel the decision might not have been the same had it been his side that had scored as he cited the Ibrox impact.

Asked whether he'd contact the Scottish FA over the decision, he said: "I don't think anyone goes out to make bad decisions, we've got the technology but it comes down to the opinions of people making the decisions. Sometimes the decisions fall your way, sometimes they don't.

"Ibrox away, quarter-final, pfft...I've not seen many of them given if I'm honest. I stand here probably looking at it from a negative point of view thinking if that was our goal I'm not so sure...that's how it feels coming to the big venues.

"I don't think any officials go out to get it wrong, it's their opinion of it but I can't believe it's not a foul. I'll not be contacting anyone and complaining to be honest. It is what it is."