Rangers cruised to a 4-0 win over Ross County in the Highland sunshine on Sunday afternoon but the game didn’t pass without controversy after an incident in the first half led to Steven Gerrard and his players consulting referee John Beaton.
Alfredo Morelos was scythed down by Ian Vigurs but it was Michael Gardyne who caused greater offence by saying something that clearly enraged both Connor Goldson and Glen Kamara, in his post match interview, the Gers gaffer was quick to condemn the incident and pleaded for it to be dealt with by his counterpart in the opposite dug out, as reported by The Scotsman:
“I only heard what my own players were saying, I didn’t hear what came out the Ross County players’ mouth.
“That’s for them to deal with.
“But what I heard from my own players was a very serious thing.
“Its not my business, it’s for Stuart Kettlewell to deal with.
If Stuart Kettlewell hears what was coming out of my players’ mouths’ then I’m sure he’ll want to deal with it as it’s a serious issue.”
The Staggies boss claimed not to have heard anything but did say that he would look to clarify the issue and take any action necessary, if any wrongdoing has been committed.
In a match that was devoid of controversy or any particular needle between the two sides, we can only speculate that Gardyne has let himself down in the heat of the moment, Morelos didn’t dive or “buy” the foul, had he not taken evasive action he could have been seriously injured – if anything, he did Vigurs a favour by trying to get out of the way.
Hopefully County won’t sweep the incident under the carpet and the unsavoury moment is dealt with, the best thing Gardyne could do is apologise himself before it escalates any further, unfortunately, in yet another indication of how Rangers are covered, that those employed by Sky to cover the game were looking to pin any blame on Morelos is as disgusting as it is unsurprising.