Andy Walker revealed that he thought Rangers attacker Alfredo Morelos was unlucky to receive a red card in the 4-2 win over Aberdeen on Wednesday.
The Sky Sports commentator delivered his verdict on the flashpoint during the eventful clash between the Dons and the Gers as it happened during the game, and highlighted how he thought Scott McKenna was more vicious during the incident.
McKenna and Morelos clashed just before the 60th minute mark with both players receiving a red card for their part in the coming together.
“McKenna goes into Morelos, Morelos might just leave something in there, not a great deal in but he does lash out McKenna and Bobby Madden saw this immediately and kept his eye on this,” said Walker while commentating on Rangers’ win over Aberdeen on Sky Sports Football (Wednesday February 6th, 20:56).
“I think there was intent there and if there is intent he’s got to show him a red card, both players stupid to get involved and remember Morelos…here it is slowed down, he has gone to ground and Morelos makes contact I think there was more vicious contact from McKenna and I think Bobby Madden is perfectly within his rights to show the red here.
“It doesn’t seem to be any marks on his face but you have to take into consideration the intent, (Morelos then gets red card), well look at it again it’s that left foot, I got to say Morelos is very unlucky here, I didn’t think there was any intent or aggressive motion, he’s been stupid in these games before but I don’t think there is a stomping motion by Morelos.”
OPINION
While Rangers fans will be fuming over Morelos getting yet another red card, meaning a suspension beckons, even some of them will know the forward deserved to receive his marching orders. It’s hard to see why Walker believes Morelos was very unlucky to receive a red card as while McKenna was arguably the more aggressive of the two players during the tussle, it didn’t mean the Gers forward wasn’t guilty enough to receive the card. In fact referee Bobby Madden dealt with the whole scenario wonderfully and should be praised for how quick he acted. Due to Morelos look like he warranted a red card, it would be a surprise if Steven Gerrard and the Gers opted to appeal the decision as they’re likely to be unsuccessful. The only good news regarding Morelos likely upcoming absence, is that Jermain Defoe was signed in January in order to make the Colombian missing game time irrelevant. It also helped that Defoe scored during Wednesday game so will be raring to go.