Rangers vs Kilmarnock red card blasted live on BBC

Steven Thompson was left in disbelief at the call by referee David Dickinson following a VAR check for a Rangers penalty.

The powerful defender was given his marching orders on 22 minutes after it appeared the ball struck his hand while defending Killie's goalmouth.

However, the 29-year-old did seemingly foul Rangers player Dujon Sterling before the ball struck his hand - so the decision to send him off has proved to be highly controversial, despite there being no dubiety over the call to award a penalty.

And Thompson could not believe his eyes amid the chaotic first half at Ibrox.

He said on Sportsound: "Oh you are kidding me! That is so, so harsh. He's not deliberately tried to stop it in my opinion."

Rangers hero Stuart McCall added: "He's stopped a goalscoring chance but I don't think it's deliberate. He's a foot away and it's hit him. The ball is going into the goal but in no way is it deliberate."

READ MORE: Rangers fan group unveil 'f*** the SNP' banner at match

Ex-Light Blues hitman Kenny Miller said on Sky Sports commentary: "What I would say about it is it hits his hand and he stops a goal, so for me it's a penalty. But he's off balance. He's trying to get back and drop his body into a position where he can block it. His arm is always going to rise.

"I think it's a penalty but a harsh red card. He's actually fallen back so his hand naturally comes up. He's stopped the goal so it's a penalty for me, but a really, really harsh red card. This has been the most chaotic 21 minutes of football I've ever watched."

Matty Kennedy has the visitors in the lead early in the game after he forced James Tavernier into an error at the back post.

However, Fabio Silva scored right on the cusp of half time to make it 1-1, before Ben Davies, Tom Lawrence and John Souttar added to the scoreline in the second.