Jason Jones

Tue 21 January 2020 15:14, UK

John Hartson and Derek Ferguson have exchanged heated words over Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos and his apparent throat-slit gesture in last month’s Old Firm.

The Colombian was dismissed late on in the derby for a second bookable offence, and the proceeded to draw his hands across his neck several times in the direction of the home support as he made his way from the pitch.

The gesture has sparked controversy in the aftermath of the game, with Chris Sutton claiming that the forward should be banned for five games, as per the Daily Record.

In Morelos’ defence, Gers assistant Gary McAllister suggested that the hand signal was not meant with sinister intent, but rather as an indication of the fact that the match was over, with Rangers leading 2-1 and just seconds left on the clock, as per the Record.

Rangers were then hit with a charge of failing to control their players and staff during the Old Firm by the SFA on Friday, which in turn led to the club releasing an official statement that claimed they were “astounded” by the allegations.

In a furious response to that correspondence, former Celtic striker Hartson then took to Twitter to slam the Light Blues.

Writing on his personal account, he said: “Astounded! Astounded by your player making a throat cut gesture to the supporters.

“I’m astounded by the fact that you are astounded.

“Morally dreadful.”

Making an appearance on the BBC’s Sportsound radio show on Monday evening, as quoted by the Daily Record, Hartson was then asked if he stood by his comments.

He replied: “Yes. One million per cent. I am astounded that they are astounded by these charges.

“I have never liked that cut-throat reaction, I have never liked it.

“I think we all know what it means. It does not mean the game is finished alright, let me just put that one thing straight.

“What I would say is that there are people defending this person doing this gesture. Now I know you want to defend your player and I know you have to be seen backing your player.

“But I have always said, and I continue to say it, that gesture for me is a lot worse.”

Responding to Hartson’s argument, former Rangers star Ferguson said: “A different culture, we talk about different languages from different cultures. Different gestures mean different things.

“So basically what John is saying Morelos is a liar and Rangers are lying.

“For me I believe the young man. There is a witch hunt, this is three weeks ago and it’s still going on.

“If Morelos says that gesture means ‘time up’ then you’ve got to take it as that.”

Incredulous, Hartson then fired back: “Time up?! Time up?! That gesture is horrific, what are you talking about?

“The owners, the people who are paying his wages and backing him should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.”

Is Hartson overreacting here?

This is a heated debate, and in a way, you can understand why, as a former Celtic player, Hartson is upset.

Regardless of the intent behind it, Morelos’ gesture looked bad, and at the very least he should be made aware of the fact that it’s not entirely appropriate for that kind of stage.

That being said, was there any malice behind it?

It feels quite unlikely. How Hartson can just immediately disregard the possibility that Morelos was signifying the match was over is quite bemusing, and if anything, that does seem more likely than him making such a threatening gesture to thousands of strangers when he’s already landed himself in hot water with a red card.

The fact of the matter is that Morelos can be a bad boy. We’ve seen a petulant side to him on a number of occasions that you would ideally want eradicating from his game.

But is his reputation being unfairly exacerbated by the hysterical punditry stylings of Hartson, Sutton, and others? Very, very probably.

Perhaps Ferguson has a point here – it’s beginning to feel like a witch hunt.

In other news, Confirmed – Rangers announce season-long loan exit for Ibrox starlet.