Dermot Gallagher believes Darren McGregor’s foul on Rangers attacker Alfredo Morelos in the 1-1 draw against Hibernian didn’t warrant a straight red card.
The former Premier League referee delivered his definitive verdict on whether the Hibs defender deserved to be sent off after appearing to catch the Rangers forward with his elbow in the first-half.
Gallagher shared that he thought the collision was a result of him recklessly flailing his arm rather than acting violently towards Morelos, but added that he ultimately ended up paying the price for the incident later in the game when he was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card.
“I think the referee’s seen this as a flailing arm rather than a violent arm,” said Gallagher on Football Centre (Sky Sports News, Monday March 11th, 11:55am).
“You know, he’s not elbowed him and he hasn’t punched him.
“He does [move his arm] but I think it’s almost pushing away rather than smashing away if you like.
“So he’s seen that as reckless rather than violent.
“But he’s paid a heavy price because later in the game he gets a second yellow card and ultimately he’s paid for the first one.”
OPINION
Gallagher is spot-on with his verdict as McGregor didn’t seem intent on hurting Morelos but was just reckless in the way he left his arm out. While the incident did look pretty nasty for Morelos as the elbow sent him crashing to the floor, a yellow card was all that was warranted. Also the Hibs defender did end up being truly punished for the incident against Rangers as after clattering Jermaine Defoe, he got the red card that some no doubt thought he deserved. While some Rangers fans may believe that if McGregor had got sent off sooner their side may have won the game rather than drew, Steven Gerrard’s team had enough quality on the pitch to get the job done. The Gers had enough opportunities to get all three points but they simply didn’t take them. Given that it’s a fine margin that decide where silverware ends up, the Gers can’t really blame McGregor not getting sent off as the reason why they dropped the ball once again.