EXCLUSIVE NEWS:Keith Hackett, former PGMOL chief referee, told Football Insider that Rangers’ forward Danilo Pereira was on the heavy end of a tackle by Middlesbrough’s Dael Fry that could easily have warranted a red card.

He described the attempt as “crunching”, suggesting that Fry was “lucky” to remain on the pitch. Hackett acknowledged that the challenge avoided serious punishment mainly because it struck low and didn’t target Danilo’s knee, meaning it was judged as an attempt to play the ball, rather than a clear red‑card offence .

The incident occurred within the context of a closed‑door friendly at Ibrox on 26 July 2025, where Rangers came back from a two‑goal first‑half deficit—struck via Neto Borges and Dael Fry—to draw 2‑2 courtesy of second‑half goals from Danilo and Findlay Curtis . Fry himself received a booking later—but according to Hackett, had the challenge landed higher or appeared more malicious, referee John Beaton could have had little choice but to send him off .

Hackett also emphasized the importance of applying full match officiating standards in “friendlies,” especially with video coverage and observers from governing bodies watching: leniency in such games can be punished in post‑match reviews .

—

🔍 Key Points

Date & fixture: Rangers 2–2 Middlesbrough friendly at Ibrox, 26 July 2025

The incident: Danilo hit by a forceful Dael Fry tackle that could have merited red

Keith Hackett’s verdict: Fry was “lucky” to avoid dismissal; the tackle struck low and the referee got it right to caution rather than send off

Context: Despite physicality, Rangers recovered with Danilo and Curtis goals; Martin was sent off before halftime for other protests

 

—

In sum, according to Keith Hackett, although the referee judged the challenge on Danilo as low and without malicious intent, the force involved meant Dael Fry was fortunate not to see red. The tackle served as a high-risk moment in what became a spirited comeback.