Rangers boss Gerrard angered by McGregor’s ‘moment of madness’

GLASGOW: Rangers manager Steven Gerrard cut a frustrated figure despite a 1-0 win against Hibernian after Allan McGregor’s “moment of madness” saw the home goalkeeper sent off at Ibrox.

The experienced McGregor, 37, kicked out at Marc McNulty in the 89th minute – moments after making a superb save to deny Florian Kamberi.

Rangers had to see out a dramatic finale with Ross McCrorie in goal, having used all three of their substitutes.

McGregor’s red card means he will miss next week’s visit of Scottish champions and arch-rivals Celtic, who secured an eighth successive title on Saturday.

“I can’t defend it,” said Gerrard of McGregor’s dismissal.

“He pulls a world-class save off to get us three important points and then he has a moment of madness where he loses control.”

“It’s frustrating because we will miss our No. 1 keeper now and that will start with a very important game next week,” the former Liverpool and England midfielder added.

McGregor’s red card was Rangers’ 12th of the season and Gerrard, whose side beat Hibs thanks to Jermain Defoe’s goal late in the first half, is in desperate search of a solution to a disciplinary problem that has blighted his first term in charge of the Glasgow giants.

“I’m open to advice if anyone wants to give me any because I’m sure the players are sick of listening to me talking about discipline,” he said.

“It’s nine (league) red cards.

That’s crazy.

“This game is hard enough with 11. You need to be disciplined and keep your best players on the pitch.

“The players are not helping themselves but I’m running out of things to do to address it.

“I don’t want to be one of these managers who takes money out of the players’ pockets, they’ve got families, it’s not the type of man I am.

“But they are leaving me with no other option.” — AFP