GIOVANNI van Bronckhorst has admitted it was a close call as to whether James Sands was sent off or not against Ross County.

The Rangers defender escaped a red card as he appeared to haul down Jordy Hiwula as he looked to race clear with the match at that point goalless.

Sands had been booked earlier in the match for a clumsy challenge but was relieved as Don Robertson waved play on when he came together with Hiwula.

Malky Mackay and his players were adamant Sands should've been sent off - either for a straight red for denying a goalscoring opportunity or a second yellow.

But Robertson wasn't interested as he waved play on, with no foul.

The defender was then withdrawn at the break with Leon King coming on for the second-half.

Quizzed on the decision on BBC Scotland, Van Bronckhorst insisted it was a "close call".

The Rangers boss explained: "We already had James on a booking. I think it was a close call. It went our way.

"Sometimes the call from the referee is against you, sometimes it's in your advantage but it's the decision of the ref at the moment.

"For us it was a positive call because it meant that James didn't get his second yellow."