Rangers manager Mark Warburton angry with Andy Halliday red card
Tuesday 26 January 2016 08:18, UK
Rangers manager Mark Warburton criticised referee Barry Cook’s decision to send off Andy Halliday in their 2-0 win at Greenock Morton on Monday night.
Halliday was shown a second yellow card after he pumped his fist in celebration towards the home fans at Cappielow after Gers scored their second goal through Barrie McKay after 70 minutes.
Cook, on the advice of linesman David McKniff, viewed the action as an offensive gesture and showed him a second yellow, much to Warburton's bemusement and anger.
Halliday - who has already had a red card against Hibs last month overturned - is now banned for the meeting with third-placed Falkirk on Saturday with no right of appeal.
"I've been told that the player was sent off for making an offensive gesture which had incited the Morton fans," said Warburton.
"The player made that fatal mistake of celebrating the second goal. It was scandalous behaviour on his part.
"We will look at it and say all he has done is shown his passion for the game and for the club.
"We scored a second goal and you have to enjoy it. You have to enjoy football and the nice moments. We have watched it from every angle and we are bemused and frustrated.
"We have lost an important player to a second yellow and you can't appeal for what we find the most frustrating decision."
Despite his evident frustration at Halliday's dismissal, he was pleased to see them battle through to a win which re-establishes their five-point lead at the top of the table.
Kenny Miller scored the opening goal after 26 minutes and the striker followed up his 12th goal of the season with a hand in the second as he slotted Barrie McKay in to score in the second period.
Morton could consider themselves unlucky not to get something out of the game but Warburton insisted they did what was required to secure the points.
"Sometimes the term is win ugly or whatever you call it," he added.
"Morton are a very good side, well organised and this ground is a very tough place to come.
"We kept them in the game too long because we knew the threat they posed. But to come here and win 2-0 is really pleasing."
In contrast, Morton manager Jim Duffy was unhappy with Miller's goal, even though TV replays showed he was onside.
"The first goal was a big turning point for us. I think it was the wrong decision, I think it was offside," he said.
The player made that fatal mistake of celebrating the second goal. It was scandalous behaviour on his part.
"That meant we then had to chase the game and Rangers could play on the counter-attack.
"The referee got it wrong. It is a deflection - that's not a pass or our player trying to play the ball. It's a ball hitting one of our players, so that's offside.
"If it is perceived by others to be a good goal, fair enough, but that for me was a turning point."
