Rangers handed warning after Findlay Curtis cheating claim in Scotland clash

Rangers may have been handed an early warning over the development of Findlay Curtis after criticism emerged following Scotland’s recent victory over Curacao.

The teenage winger, who impressed during a loan spell at Kilmarnock in the second half of last season, made an immediate impact for Scotland after being introduced before half-time in the friendly at Hampden. Just minutes after entering the pitch, Curtis marked his appearance with a goal, further strengthening calls for him to be involved at Ibrox next season.

However, his performance has since sparked debate after an incident late in the game led to a penalty for Scotland.

In the 80th minute, Curtis went to ground inside the area under pressure from Curacao defender Jurien Gaari. While the referee pointed to the spot, replays appeared to show little, if any, contact between the two players, prompting questions over whether the Rangers youngster had gone down too easily.

Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett has been particularly critical of the decision, arguing that Curtis should have been punished rather than rewarded.

Hackett suggested the winger had exaggerated the challenge and claimed the incident looked more like simulation than a genuine foul. In his view, Scotland should not have been awarded a penalty and Curtis should instead have received a yellow card.

The former official also warned that incidents like these are becoming increasingly common across all levels of football, from grassroots to elite competitions, and hinted that it could become an issue Rangers and Danny Röhl need to monitor if Curtis becomes part of the first-team picture next season.

Despite the controversy, excitement remains high around the 19-year-old’s future at Rangers. His spell at Kilmarnock showed signs of real promise, and his quick impact for Scotland only added to the growing belief that he could break through at Ibrox during the 2026/27 campaign.

Still, with competition for places fierce and scrutiny only set to increase, Curtis may face a steep learning curve if he is to establish himself under Röhl in Glasgow.