Rangers have launched an appeal against Alfredo Morelos’ latest red card.
Morelos was sent off for the third time against Aberdeen this season – and the fourth time in total – following an incident with Dons defender Scott McKenna on Wednesday night.
Rangers will have to submit their full argument to the Scottish Football Association by Friday afternoon.
The Colombian went from saint to sinner as he fired two clinical finishes at Pittodrie – then saw red against Aberdeen for the third time this season.
Morelos’ double – which takes his tally to the season to 23 – helped seal a thrilling 4-2 win for Gers as they remain six points behind Ladbrokes Premiership leaders Celtic.
But manager Steven Gerrard says the 22-year-old will not be able to fulfil his dreams of playing in the English Premier League if he carries on getting himself caught up in the sort of needless clash that saw the striker and Reds defender Scott McKenna head for an early bath just after half-time.
The pair had been embroiled in a running battle during the first half before both appeared to kick out at one another after a tussle on the deck.
“I think for Alfredo to go to the next level or to improve he will have to channel his aggression,” said the Rangers boss, who also saw James Tavernier net a penalty before Jermain Defoe’s stoppage-time clincher ensured Sam Cosgrove’s double counted for nothing.
“I’ll be honest, I haven’t had the chance to analyse the incident back so I can’t tell you if Scott deserved a red or whether Alfredo did.
“But they’ve had a fantastic battle up until that point. Scott was physical with Alfredo, Alfredo was physical with them.
“Two top players, but unfortunately they have both ended up with red cards.
“Whether they deserved it I’ll have to analyse it. If Alfredo is in the wrong then he’ll deserve the red card.
“He’ll then be missing for two games and that’s how he’ll get punished because he hates missing games.
“But I’m doing everything in my power to help the kid grow as a footballer and as a person.
“I’m not going to take the physical side away from him because he’ll get bullied out there against some strong physical players.
“But for Alfredo to get to the next level and move on his career – and for people to trust him – he does have to channel it in the right way.”