PROTECT MY STARS, PLEADS WARBURTON
MARK WARBURTON has called for referees to start protecting his flair players after Nathan Oduwa hobbled off at half-time in last night’s Petrofac Training Cup quarter-final win for Rangers.
Oduwa, the on-loan Tottenham midfielder, found himself on the wrong end of a meaty tackle by Livingston’s Kieran Gibbons in the opening minute.
Rangers prevailed to book their semi-final place against St Mirren but, having seen the challenge on Oduwa go unpunished by Andrew Dallas, the Ibrox boss believes it is high time that officials ensured crowd pleasers are given adequate protection.
‘The first tackle on Oduwa came after about 25 seconds and was followed by four or five swiftly after that,’ said Warburton. ‘He had to
come off at half time. He’s got bruising to his ankle and foot and I just think it was frustrating — to be polite. I never want to see players booked or red- carded, but at times it is necessary. ‘We are meant to be in the entertainment industry.’ It’s believed Oduwa is not seriously injured but, asked if he was concerned the 19-year-old might become sickened by such treatment, Warburton replied: ‘There are many benefits up here for Nathan and he’s enjoying life in Glasgow — but it’s a point. ‘Talented players do need some protection. I’m not saying special treatment but look after them. Some of the tackles were inappropriate. The ref didn’t say a lot to me and Davie (Weir) which, again, is frustrating. We have to improve communications between us — and I mean managers and coaches — and officials. We want games to be entertaining and for fans to enjoy it. Nathan gets you off your seat. You pay your money to watch people like that. He was asking for some better protection.’ Despite the flashpoint — at the start of a game which saw five Livingston and three Rangers players booked — Warburton was pleased by his team’s perseverance until Nicky Clark’s 75th-minute winner. ‘We had to show some guile and cleverness in the final third to break them down,’ he said. ‘We didn’t quite do that for the first hour. We have to be patient because teams are going to come here and put eight or nine players behind the ball.’ Livingston boss Mark Burchill bristled at suggestions his players had gone over the score physically. ‘It’s a cup tie, two teams trying to win and there’s a ref in charge, he’s the boss,’ he stated. ‘The first tackle from a Rangers player should have been a yellow card but he let that go. ‘Then you have to let a few more go. I thought he did handle it well. Did any of my players get sent off? I’m happy with that, then.’