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Exclusive: Mark Halsey claims Alfredo Morelos was ‘very lucky’ not to be sent off against Dundee United

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Image for Exclusive: Mark Halsey claims Alfredo Morelos was ‘very lucky’ not to be sent off against Dundee United

Former top-flight referee Mark Halsey has claimed that Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos was “very lucky” to stay on the field against Dundee United.

During the latest round of Scottish Premiership fixtures, Steven Gerrard’s side travelled to Tannadice Park to take on the Terrors (per Sky Sports).

On the day, goals from James Tavernier and Connor Goldson were enough to seal three points for the Gers.

However, the afternoon could have been made more difficult for Rangers had Morelos been given his marching orders in the first half after catching Mark Connolly’s face with his elbow.

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Speaking exclusively to This is Futbol, Halsey said: “He’s led with his arm, which is a reckless act, but then it’s that secondary movement when it becomes violent conduct.

“To be fair, I think they were very lucky not to go down to 10 men in that instance because for me, that was a clear, clear act of violent conduct and he should have been sent off.

“If they’d have had VAR up in Scotland, that would have definitely been reviewed and I’m almost certain that the referee would have upgraded yellow to a red.”

Should Alfredo Morelos have been sent off?

No, it was a yellow

No, it was a yellow

Yes, he should have been

Yes, he should have been

Having kept 11 men on the field, Gerrard’s side were able to go on and seal their 15th league victory of the season after 17 games, having drawn the other two (per Sky Sports).

Morelos, though, is no stranger to disciplinary issues as he has been booked and red-carded on a number of occasions.

Over 159 appearances for the Gers, the Colombian striker has picked up 40 yellow cards and been sent off seven times – four for second-yellows and three straight-reds (per Transfermarkt).

Halsey continued: “You see him go in with his arm and then, bang. So it’s that secondary movement, for me, that turns it from being reckless to an act of violent conduct.

“He should have definitely seen a red card.”

The victory for Rangers saw them maintain their 13-point lead over Old Firm rivals Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership table.

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