Penalty or not, the controversy was exacerbated by what happened next.

United’s potential three points turned into one in the 98th minute after Ferry caught Rangers substitute Max Aarons, who burst across his blindside.

Was there enough contact? Referee Dickinson thought so and awarded Rangers the penalty. Again, Robertson saw no reason to query the on-field decision and Nedim Bajrami flashed in the penalty to earn the visitors a draw.

“If it’s at your end, you’re screaming for it,” Allan said. “Ferry just doesn’t see Aarons coming and once you give the referee that decision to make, it’s very hard to get that overturned.”

This time, McCann agreed: “I think if David Dickinson turns away and says it’s just a coming together, VAR doesn’t overturn it.

“I don’t think there’s a massive amount of contact. Whether he clips his boot or he doesn’t, I’m not quite sure.”

Perhaps Preston summed it up best.

“Very soft, but just a penalty. It’s like an egg – hard or soft, it’s still an egg and that’s still a penalty.”