Athletic journalist details unfortunate coincidence that really kicked off Rangers-Liege bust-up
Rangers striker Kemar Roofe scored an incredible goal in injury time in Belgium to secure the three points in a fantastic 2-0 win against Standard Liege.
He picked up the ball midway in his own half before riding three challenges and lobbing the Standard keeper from inside his own half.
If you can’t celebrate a goal like that, what can you celebrate?
But Roofe’s celebrations caused a Standard Liege staffer to confront the striker before a bust-up after the final whistle between the two sides.
Standard seemed to be angry that Roofe had gone to the home fans and given an ‘A’ signal, which they took to mean Anderlecht, Roofe’s former club in Belgium.
However, writing in a fan Q&A in the Athletic, an interaction between one supporter and journalist Jordan Campbell pointed to an unfortunate coincidence.
The fan wrote, “Celebrations are Roofe’s kids initials? He’s been doing that celebration since Oxford, then Leeds. I assume his first kid begins with A.
“That was the first celebration back then and he’s added an L? Second kid’s initial? Liège have maybe taken that as Anderlecht and losers?”
Journalist Jordan Campbell replied, “I think that’s what it has been! Pretty unfortunate coincidence to be fair.”
No class or humility
Wow! What a goal. We need to get that out of the way first before we can even begin to dissect that performance.
Let’s get it straight – Steven Gerrard has got Rangers playing on a different level this season.
Unbeaten in all competitions and two victories to nil against Celtic and Standard Liege. Standard hadn’t lost at home in Europe for six years prior to this match.
Having Roofe back and scoring a goal like that will be an absolutely massive boost to his confidence just at the right time.
Rangers have coped without him but having Morelos and Roofe firing, with Defoe on the bench, really should have Celtic and Lennon fearing the worst.
As for the celebrations, it might have been an unfortunate coincidence but the Standard team just couldn’t take the fact they’d been beaten so comprehensively at home.
The fact Roofe got booked just shows the pettiness and lack of common sense in football. That was the best goal Roofe has scored in his career – let him celebrate it. It had already killed the game off.
Gerrard had it right when he said Standard lacked class and humility after the game. That’s what this season’s Rangers side can do to teams.
In other Rangers news, ‘Seething’ Lennon demands apology after honest Celtic assessment on BBC from former Rangers star