Sunday’s Glasgow Derby should have marked the day when the Rangers announced themselves as genuine title contenders after a decade of dominance from the Hoops. But instead, Alfredo Morelos decided to get the spotlight on himself for his antics after being sent off in the 96th minute of the game for diving.
It was the 12th game against Celtic in which he failed to scored despite being presented with a number of great opportunities. The fact that he decided to dive when clean through on goal should tell you everything you need to know about his confidence. But his ‘throat-slit’ gesture after getting sent off became an even bigger talking point.
Former Celtic striker, Chris Sutton, has demanded that the SFA ban Morelos for five games for his actions on Sunday instead of dealing out a light punishment. Sutton wrote in his Daily Record column:
“Morelos will get a two-game suspension for his nonsense – but he should be clobbered with an even bigger ban for his throat-cutting gestures to the crowd. The rules are there to stop this kind of thing and Morelos simply can’t be allowed to make those types of signs to supporters.
“The SFA would be a laughing stock if they don’t take action as what kind of message does this send out? That it’s OK to make violent gestures? Neil Lennon copped a three-game ban for doing an aeroplane celebration, for goodness sake. Tell me what is worse?
“Morelos should be looking at five games – at least. I’m all for a bit of banter with the crowd but there is a line which Morelos crossed. The Police are constantly banging on dressing room doors warning about this kind of stuff in derby matches. he SFA have to act otherwise they will be guilty of inconsistency.”
There had been rumblings in Scotland that Morelos had managed to improve on his disciplinary issues this season. All those illusions have been shattered though with the Colombian being sent off twice in the last three games. And hopefully, the SFA give him the punishment that his actions deserve.
