[ad_1]
Steven Gerrard faces a sweat from Old Firm after being sent off for launching a furious spiel against referee John Beaton during the Rangers 1-0 win in Livingston.
The Rangers coach took to the field at Tony Macaroni Arena at halftime to complain after seeing Alfredo Morelos cautioned for throwing despite clearly being fouled in the penalty area just before half-time.
Gerrard’s temper earned him two yellow cards as he raged at the referee, who dealt seven yellows during a moody game. It was from his position in the second half in Livi’s main stand that he scored the winning goal for Morelos in the 87th minute when the Colombian fired the Rangers within two title wins.
“It is a flagrant penalty, it is a springboard,” said an unrepeatable Gerrard afterwards. “I am someone who wants to support officials because we are all human. But what I can’t bear at this level is three people making the same mistake. Everyone had a clear vision of it. I could see it and I am further away.
“There are three officials at this level who were all wrong together, I cannot allow that. I asked him for an explanation and he refused to speak to me. I think I have a right to a conversation, but obviously not. It’s not right, it’s not fair. It’s a stepping stone and it’s out of order. “
The matter does not enter the fast-track procedures of the Scottish Football Association, so there is no set deadline for Hampden’s disciplinary chiefs to decide on Gerrard’s punishment, if any. But with the Rangers potentially set for a Premiership title party when they head to Celtic Park on March 21, Gerrard could be forced to watch the celebrations from the stands if his case is decided early.
The league race could still be settled before the derby in any event if Rangers win at home against St Mirren on Saturday and Celtic fail to achieve an away win against Dundee United the following day.
It had been an uneventful contest until Beaton intervened eight minutes before the break. Morelos hit the deck as he passed Stryjek as he chased Steven Davis’s sublime ball overhead. Beaton stared for a moment ready to point out the spot before changing his mind and reaching into his upper pocket to reserve Morelos.
Gerrard exploded on the touchline and replays showed Livi’s Polish goalkeeper had made clear contact when he hit Morelos’s heel. The Rangers had a decent claim for another penalty moments later when Joe Aribo sent Ryan Kent down the left.
The center of the end was blocked, but only until Arfield, who crashed wide just as Sibbald dived late. Once again, Beaton looked away, but couldn’t escape Gerrard’s gaze as the enraged boss entered the field to face the referee at half-time.
The Fiver – Sign up and receive our daily soccer email.
A yellow card was not enough to stop his outburst and he spent the second half watching from the stands. Nor did the sight of an offside flag help his mood just as Connor Goldson headed home from a Barisic free kick four minutes after the restart.
Morelos pulled a smart save from Stryjek, then took the wrong option with 15 minutes to go when he crossed the goal when he had Kent and substitute Cedric Itten crying out for a cut.
However, there were no complaints from his teammates with three minutes to go when he scored his 14th goal of the season after Stryjek landed a Davis shot at his feet.
