Ref was desperate to brandish red card – Gerrard

STEV EN Gerrard accused referee Don Robertson of being “despe rate” to wh ip out h i s red card in Rangers’ 2-0 win at Motherwell.

The Gers boss made the claim after seeing top-scorer Alfredo Morelos return to his bad old habits as he was dismissed moments after grabbing the visitors’ second goal.

The Colombian – sent off five times last year – received his usual abuse from the terraces but got his own back when he followed up Nikola Katic’s first-half opener to put Rangers 2-0 up.

However, the smile was wiped off his face after he was shown a second yellow card for aiming an inflammatory gesture at the ’Well fans based in the East Enclosure during his celebrations.

The home side could yet find themselves in trouble after the ’Well support responded by raining a number of objects down on the Rangers players as they tried to shy Morelos away.

Gerrard had no complaints with the decision to dismiss his striker – who will now sit out next Friday’s crucial trip to Easter Road – but reckoned it was only a matter of time before Robertson reached for his top pocket.

The Rangers manager said: “It’s the first setback Alfredo’s had after huge, huge improvements so we’ll reset that but we certainly have no complaints.

“I felt he was desperate to give out a red card. I had that feeling from the side, which is unfortunate because our player does get that type of abuse.

“Alfredo was unplayable. It is a setback, he knows that.”

United boss Robbie Neilson says his side were “lucky” to get three points.