Steven Gerrard faces touchline sweat over Rangers title clincher after Livingston red card

Steven Gerrard could miss Rangers’ title-clinching match after being sent off against Livingston.
Referee John Beaton shows Steven Gerrard a red card during a Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Rangers at The Tony Macaroni Arena, on March 03, 2021, in Livingston, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)Referee John Beaton shows Steven Gerrard a red card during a Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Rangers at The Tony Macaroni Arena, on March 03, 2021, in Livingston, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
Referee John Beaton shows Steven Gerrard a red card during a Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Rangers at The Tony Macaroni Arena, on March 03, 2021, in Livingston, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Referee John Beaton showed the Rangers manager two yellow cards, followed by a red, at half-time of the match which ended 1-0 to the Ibrox side.

Gerrard entered the pitch at the end of the first half to remonstrate with the match officials over a penalty claim eight minutes before the break when Alfredo Morelos went down inside the box under challenge from Livingston goalkeeper Max Strjeck.

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The Colombian was denied a spot-kick despite replays showing the goalkeepers arms making contact with the forward’s legs – and the Rangers player was also booked for simulation.

The decision angered Gerrard enough to challenge referee Beaton over the incident, but with the game scoreless he was sent to the stands for the second half and now faces an anxious wait to find out if he faces further punishment.

Rangers went on to win the game and despite being denied the first-half spot-kick, Morelos was in the right place at the right time to tap in the winner with three minutes to play in West Lothian.

Rangers now need four points to see out the season – a tally which could be reached by a win over St Mirren this week and then avoiding defeat in next weekend’s Old Firm match. They could also win the title this weekend if they win against the Buddies at Ibrox and Celtic lose in Sunday’s televised SPFL Premiership game against Dundee United at Tannadice.

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