Rangers trying to keep fans on board with Kevin Clancy complaints after Celtic defeat claims pundit
Rangers are attempting to keep the fanbase onside with their reaction to the decision to rule out Alfredo Morelos’ goal at Celtic, believes Alan Rough.
The Gers wrote to the SFA after Kevin Clancy disallowed the Colombian’s first half strike at Parkhead for a perceived foul on Alistair Johnston, and were “astonished” to receive a response that backed the referee’s call.
But former Scotland keeper Rough believes the ongoing fallout from the game is as much down to the club trying to retain the backing of the support than achieving any tangible action.
Speaking on PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show (12 April, 8m 20s) Rough said: “You have to move on, you can’t be hanging about… I thought Rangers played particularly well. I thought they should have got something out of the game.
“But I think now Rangers have got to keep everybody on board, you know there’s a big game coming up, keep the fans on board, ‘This is the way we’re thinking’.
“I think that’s the way that Rangers are going at this particular moment. They’re doing it for the club and the supporters, so why wouldn’t you?”
Perhaps
The hierarchy know they are in a difficult spot, having no realistic chance of silverware outside of overcoming Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi final on 30 April.
They have failed to beat Ange Postecolgou’s since doing so in the same circumstances at Hampden Park a year ago on the way to lifting the trophy.
And while Ross Wilson might not be on his way out to Nottingham Forest, the Ibrox board know that fans are not impressed with the recent record at the club.
All that is true, but it doesn’t detract from what was a depressingly soft one given in Johnston’s favour at the weekend, when taking the lead on a day where Michael Beale’s side probably had the better of the game overall could have made all the difference.
The fact that there was contact both ways makes the decision to rule against Morelos arbitrary, but also meant there was never any prospect of an apology from the authorities.
The whole situation, not least with the unacceptable threats to Clancy thrown in, is a mess, but from a Rangers point of view, all that can realistically be done is to make sure to win the cup clash at the end of the month and get the summer transfer window right for next season.
In other Rangers news, an exit-bound Ibrox ace has revealed which club he would like to work for again.