SFA spot on to back Beaton’s Morelos decisions at Ibrox You can argue as much as you like, but the man that matters most is the one in black

JOHN BEATON was the man in the middle at Ibrox on Saturday. So, if he sees all of the incidents involving Alfredo Morelos and deems them not to be worthy of any action, then the Scottish FA have to back their man.

We have seen some refereeing decisions – penalties given, players sent off and goals ruled out – this season that I can’t believe.

But if Beaton says that he saw all three incidents with Celtic trio Scott Brown, Anthony Ralston and Ryan Christie and is satisfied with how he dealt with them, fine.

The non-Rangers fans won’t like it, as always, and they will think “there are Rangers getting away with it”.

But there have been plenty of times this season already where we didn’t get away with it and we have been on the other side of it.

We have had our fair share against us this season. The supporters, and the manager, will be delighted that this one has gone for Rangers and that Alfredo won’t face any action.

Beaton will be pilloried by non-Rangers fans but he has deemed that Morelos wasn’t deserving of a red card. You can argue as much as you like, but the man that matters most is the one in black.

When you watch the Old Firm game back, you can see niggles all over the place but, because it is Morelos and with this reputation people have given him, the incidents involving him seem to get highlighted more.

There were late challenges and bad tackles and things happening all over the place but the referee allowed play to go on so many times when he could have stopped it. It made a more entertaining game, because it was flowing more.

It certainly wasn’t Morelos that was causing all the trouble. There were several players that were at it at Ibrox but they were fighting hard and that is what you expect in an Old Firm game.

These things are going to happen in matches like that and I think the referee took that into consideration when he was making decisions.

People will think that Alfredo has got away with one here but all Rangers can think about is the fact that he will be able to play in the Premiership after the winter break.

This is further proof, though, if any more was needed, that he is being watched all the time and he has to have that in his mind in every game.

If I am a

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centre-half and I know he is going to be a threat against me, I am going to do everything I can to upset him and to hopefully stop him.

Alfredo has that edge to his game and he is being looked at by referees but he is not the only one, mark my words. There are plenty of others that do similar things and don’t get the focus Alfredo does.

I played with great players that got kicked up and down the park but that was because they were dangerous. If nobody is out to get you, then you are not a threat to them.

You want Morelos angry so that he bites back.

He has been involved needlessly on a few occasions, but there are loads of times when he doesn’t take the bait and gets on with it.

The Colombian does have that side to his personality where he can hit out, that is his mindset, but that doesn’t mean he is guilty all the time.

Steven Gerrard will keep talking to Alfredo and I have noticed a lot recently that the players are going up to him at times and having a word with him or taking him out of certain situations.

The best way for Morelos to deal with it is to do what he does best and stick the ball in the back of the net.

There is nothing better than scoring a goal and then just walking by with the biggest smile on your face because that is what worries defenders and really gets to them most.

That is what he will do after the winter break this month. but if someone comes in for him this month he should think about taking the opportunity to get back on the park. He has to seriously think about it.

I know there has been talk about a return to Hearts in the past and, without having spoken to Lee about it, I am sure he would be keen on it.

He has been linked with a move down south as well and won’t be short of offers if he decides that now is the time for him to leave.

If Steven Gerrard can’t guarantee him regular football, which he certainly can’t, then it is probably for the best that Lee moves on. If he does, he will do so with the thanks of the Rangers support.