The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Morelos nets late winner after boss Gerrard sees red
LIVINGSTON 0 RANGERS 1
Steven Gerrard faces an Old Firm sweat after being sent off for launching a furious rant at referee John Beaton during Rangers’ 1-0 win at Livingston.
The Light Blues boss marched onto the pitch at the Tony Macaroni Arena at half-time to complain after seeing Alfredo Morelos booked for diving despite having clearly been fouled in the box just before the break.
Gerrard’s temper earned him two yellow cards as he raged at the official – who dished out seven yellows during a bad-tempered affair – “You were f ***** bang wrong. You’re bang out of order.”
The matter does not fall under the SFA’S fast-track procedures so there is no set deadline for Hampden disciplinary chiefs to decide how long a punishment to hand out.
But with Rangers potentially set for a Premiership title party when they head to Celtic Park on March 21, Gerrard could be forced to watch from the stand.
It was from his secondhalf perch in Livi’s main stand that he lapped up Morelos’ 87th-minute winner as the Colombian fired Rangers to within two victories of the title – and left Livi sick again just three days on from their Betfred Cup final defeat.
Lions boss David Martindale freshened up his team from Hampden as Max Stryjek replaced onloan Rangers keeper Robby Mccrorie, with Jack
Fitzwater, Craig Sibbald and Gavin Reilly also back.
Nathan Patterson came in to make his first league start for the Gers while Scott Arfield was in from the kick-off for the first time since mid-december.
It had been a rather uneventful contest until eight minutes before the break. Morelos hit the deck as he went past Stryjek while chasing Steven Davis’ sublime ball over the top.
Beaton looked set to point to the spot before changing his mind and booking Morelos.
Gerrard exploded on the touchline and replays showed Livi’s Polish keeper had made clear contact as he clipped Morelos’ heel.
Rangers had a penalty claim moments later as a Ryan Kent cross fell to Arfield, who shot wide just as Sibbald dived in late.
An irate Gerrard strode onto the pitch to confront the official at half-time. A yellow card was not enough to halt his outburst and he spent the second half watching from the stands.
An offside flag went up just as Connor Goldson headed home from Barisic’s free-kick four minutes after the restart before a barrage of fireworks caused a break in play but when the action resumed Morelos was denied by a Stryjek save.
Morelos took the wrong option with 15 minutes left as he fizzed across goal when he had Kent and substitute Cedric Itten screaming for a cut-back.
However, there was no complaints with three minutes left as he bundled home his 14th goal of the season after Stryjek spilled a Davis shot.