Rangers, Hibs in the dock

Clubs hit with a raft of charges by SFA No further action expected on Morelos

Rangers have been issued with two notices of complaint by the Scottish FA for the touchline conduct of their coaching staff during matches against Hibs and Celtic last month.

Individual charges have also been made against Rangers first-team coach Michael Beale and technical coach Tom Culshaw for their part in the incidents.

Hibs have also received a notice of complaint for their behaviour during the 3-0 defeat by Rangers at Easter Road on 20 December with assistant manager John Potter also facing an individual charge.

All five cases are scheduled to be heard at disciplinary tribunal hearings at Hampden on 6 February.

It has also emerged that Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos was issued with a third yellow card for his cut-throat gesture as he walked up the tunnel after being sent off for two bookings in the Old Firm match at Celtic Park on 29 December.

No further individual action is expected to be taken against the Colombian international by the Scottish FA compliance officer, although both his conduct and the goal celebration of team-mate Ryan Kent, who appeared to mimic the firing of a gun, could be considered as part of the wider charge against the club.

Beale was sent off for his reaction to Morelos’ dismissal in his team’s 2-1 victory, the Rangers coach also attempting to confront Celtic assistantmanagerjohnkennedybefore making his way up the tunnel.

In the touchline fracas at Easter Road nine days earlier, the Rangers’ coaching staff were incensed by the foul committed by Hibs defender Ryan Porteous on full-back Borna Barisic which earned a straight red card. Potter and Culshaw were both sent off after the match officials calmed the situation.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard expressed irritation at the Scottish FA charges being announced just a few hours before his team beat Stranraer 2-0 at Ibrox in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup. But he also indicated that Rangers are prepared for any punishment which comes their way.

“The club will deal with the charges and we will accept anything that’s going to come our way,” said Gerrard.

“I haven’t really had time to think about it. It arrived on a match day, which is always helpful and handy, so we will lookintoittomorrowwhenwe have more time. I was a bit surprised by the timing of it, how long it has taken. But that’s the way it is.”

Rangers booked their place in the fifth round with a firsthalf goal from Scott Arfield and a second-half penalty from Jermain Defoe.