DOUBLE BLOW
McGregor in the dock as SFA reject Morelos plea
THE SFA are on course for a new row with Rangers by kicking out an appeal against Alfredo Morelos’ midweek red card in Aberdeen — and hitting goalkeeper Allan McGregor with a two-match ban.
Colombian striker Morelos will miss the next three games — starting with this evening’s William Hill Scottish Cup clash against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
But Rangers will now go to war with the governing body over McGregor, after the goalkeeper was hit with a two-game ban from SFA compliance officer Clare Whyte for catching Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson during Wednesday’s 4-2 win in the Granite City.
The Ibrox club have already appealed that decision, with a fasttrack tribunal due to determine the Scotland international’s fate on Tuesday.
Rangers declined to comment last night but are understood to be unhappy with perceived inconsistencies in the
SFA disciplinary system after Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic escaped retrospective action for a challenge on Hibs striker Oli Shaw. The loss of Morelos comes as a blow after the 22-year-old was handed his third domestic red card of the season. Facing an automatic two-game ban for kicking out at Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna, the forward was given another match due to his poor disciplinary record this season. Morelos sits out tonight’s cup clash before missing league games against St Johnstone and Hamilton. McKenna was also shown a red card for a retaliatory kick, but Aberdeen decided against an appeal. Rangers assistant manager Gary McAllister had claimed Morelos deserved to be cleared — after another red card for a kick at the same player, and same venue, had been rescinded earlier this season. ‘It was an awkward position and I don’t see a stamp,’ he said of the latest flashpoint. ‘I have watched it from every angle. There is a wrestling match and two players trying to get the ball. ‘The position the pair get into is awkward and I don’t know where Alfredo can put his legs. They’ve gone up and they’re coming down. ‘Was there an intentional stamp? I don’t see it.’ The former Scotland captain admitted Morelos has work to do on his self control, comparing him to former Leeds United hothead Eric Cantona. ‘There was quite a big French lad that came to Leeds who had that sort of thing,’ said McAllister. ‘I don’t need to talk about him, do I? ‘I don’t want to equate Alfredo to any other player but there are many who play like that. ‘He’s a very competitive player. The physical side is a big part of his game. ‘We are working and trying to improve the disciplinary side of his game, but it’s a very fine line. ‘He’s a target. He’s the top scorer in Scotland and defenders are going to try to get close to him. ‘If you’re young and you get told it over and over again, then you should get better. Hopefully.’ Echoing McAllister’s view, Ibrox defender Connor Goldson believes opposition defenders are setting out to wind him up and provoke a reaction. ‘Alfredo has won us more games than he’s lost this season,’ said Goldson. ‘He has scored 23 goals and you can’t be too hard on him. ‘The centre-halves kick him all day and are physical with him. ‘When it gets to a stage where, every time he is going for the ball they are pushing him in the back, grabbing his shirt — you find it hard not for him to react. ‘It is something he is going to get and he needs to learn he is such a target.’