‘Need to be careful’ – Boyd gives verdict on latest Gers controversy, makes Celtic comparison
Kris Boyd has rejected calls for Rangers star Kemar Roofe to be handed retrospective punishment by the SFA for his late challenge against St Johnstone on Wednesday.
Roofe was involved in a contentious talking point at Ibrox when he picked up a yellow card for a foul on Murray Davidson with St Johnstone players and a number of figures in the media deeming it worthy of a higher sanction.
There has been a clamour in certain quarters for Roofe to be handed action just like fellow forward Alfredo Morelos was when he was banned for three games by the SFA following an alleged stamp during a Gers win over Hibernian.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Scottish Football Podcast Boyd claimed it was nothing out of the ordinary, saying: “I don’t think there was any malice in it, it wasn’t one of those ones where he thinks I’m going to go in here to hurt my opponent.
“Yes it doesn’t look good but I think we need to be careful because we seem to be pulling up every single incident that happens here, it’s football and there is going to be contact in football and for me I don’t think there should be [retrospective action].”
He added: “You could argue the exact same in terms of Scott Brown as well, trying to protect the ball, yes he catches him but I don’t think he meant it.”
Roofe aiming for regular run of games
Roofe was making his first start since picking up an injury in the Old Firm victory over Celtic on January 2 and will be hoping he is not set for another spell on the sidelines.
The 28-year-old missed games with Aberdeen and Motherwell before returning to the bench against Ross County on January 23.
He has 10 goals in the Premiership this season and is just one behind captain James Tavernier who, alongside Odsonne Edouard and Kevin Nisbet, is at the top of the goalscorer charts.
However Roofe has not scored since he netted the opener in a 2-0 win over St Mirren on December 30 and will miss out on the chance to catch up in the race if he is banned for any length of time.
He will be eyeing up Sunday as a great opportunity to establish himself as the frontrunner for the Golden Boot when the Gers travel to rock-bottom Hamilton Academical who are winless in their last four.
Rangers made light work of Hamilton in the previous meeting between the sides when they powered to an 8-0 win where Roofe scored twice.
In other Rangers news, our view on a ‘magnificent’ player that quietly impressed v St Johnstone.