'I can't have that' - Steven Gerrard hits out at match officials after red card in Rangers win over Livingston

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard accused referee John Beaton of being ‘bang out of order’ after a dramatic night in Livingston saw the Ibrox side move to within four points of the Premiership title.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard, seated beside analyst Scott Mason, watches from the stand after being sent off by referee John Beaton at half-time of his team's 1-0 win at Livingston. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Gerrard was sent off by Beaton after confronting the official at half-time over his decision to book Alfredo Morelos for simulation and deny Rangers a penalty when the striker went down under a challenge from Livingston goalkeeper Max Stryjek.

Morelos went on to score the only goal of the game in the 87th minute but Gerrard was left frustrated by the failure of Beaton, his assistant David Roome and fourth official Graham Beaton to spot the clear contact by Stryjek on Morelos.

“It’s a blatant penalty, it’s a stonewaller,” said Gerrard. “I’m someone who wants to support officials because we are all human and we will make a mistake.

“But what I can’t stand for at this level is three people making the same mistake. They all had clear views of it. I could see it and I’m the furthest away.

“There are three officials at this level who all got it wrong together - I can’t have that. I asked for an explanation and he (the referee) refused to speak to me. I think I'm entitled to a conversation but obviously not.

“You are talking about officials at a top level of the game. I’ll go with one making a mistake, because we are all human. But I can’t have it when three make the same mistake and are all looking at the incident. That’s unfair.

“The linesman is looking straight at it with nothing in his way. The fourth official is looking straight at it with nothing in his way, because I was behind him and I could see it clear. And the referee is right on top of him. It's not right, it's not fair. It's a stonewaller and it's bang out of order.”

Gerrard must now await potential disciplinary action but insists he is not concerned by the possibility of being banned from the touchline when Rangers go on to become champions for the first time in a decade.

“I’m not worried,” he said. “If someone wants to stop me being on the side of a pitch, don’t worry - I’ll celebrate when the time comes.”

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