Chris Sutton reacts instantly to Cristian Montano controversy in Rangers clash vs Livingston
Chris Sutton believes Cristian Montano was rightly shown a red card against Rangers.
Heading into the encounter on Sunday at Almondvale Stadium, Scottish Premiership basement side Livingston had won just two of 33 meetings with second-placed Rangers.
To make matters worse for the underdogs, they had lost four of their last six league games, whereas Danny Rohl‘s team have picked up 14 points from a possible 18.
Despite the odds being stacked against Livingston, Brooklyn Kabongolo opened the scoring with a fine finish in the 14th-minute and then Lewis Smith made it 2-0 in the 56th minute.
But the game turned on its head when Montano was dismissed for a last man foul on Djeidi Gassama on the hour mark in a crazy game that went on to finish 2-2.
Rangers secure unlikely comeback as Chris Sutton backs Livingston red card call
Just when it looked like Rangers would throw away all their hard work from last Sunday’s crucial win over league leaders Hearts at Ibrox, they mounted an impressive comeback.
Emmanuel Fernandez reduced Rangers’ arrears in the 81st minute as the centre-back rattled one in from 12 yards before Tottenham loanee Mikey Moore equalised two minutes from time.
But this may not have been possible without Montano’s dismissal. Despite his Celtic loyalties, co-commentator Sutton thought the right call was made.
He said on Sky Sports: “I’ve got to say, I don’t think he got any of the ball. Djeidi Gassama got the run on him, and he’s brought down. Clearly, he’s in front of Montano, and he’s brought down.
“Yeah, that’s the right call from the referee.”
While Rangers failed to gain ground on Hearts, who beat Falkirk on Saturday, rivals Celtic did slip up at home to Hibernian on Sunday.
- Read more: John Souttar dreadful, Tuur Rommens one of three with credit – Rangers player ratings vs Livingston
Scottish Premiership takes dramatic twist yet again
Heading into this weekend’s fixtures, Hearts were just two points ahead of second-placed Rangers, with third-placed Rangers a point further back.
At one point on Sunday, Rangers were losing, and Celtic were drawing. But Auston Trusty’s second-half red card turned the tide against the Bhoys.
They ended up losing 2-1, while Rangers held on for a hard-fought point. Although they are now four points adrift of leaders Hearts, it could have been a lot worse.
There will be plenty of twists and turns to go during this rollercoaster ride of a season. But it is now once again advantage Hearts.
Next up, Rangers host Celtic in another Old Firm clash, this time at Ibrox. That could put Hearts in an even stronger position by the end of next weekend.
For the latest on Rangers, visit Football Insider and have a look at some of their coverage.