Captain James Tavernier questioned referee Nick Walsh’s red card consistency after ten-man Rangers lost 3-1 to Celtic in an absorbing Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.
The Hoops took the lead through striker Johnny Kenny after 25 minutes and then Gers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard was immediately dismissed by the official for a reckless challenge on defender Anthony Ralston.
However, just before the break Parkhead centre-back Auston Trusty appeared to leave his boot on the face of Gers goalkeeper Jack Butland after he collected the ball, but only received a yellow card.
The Ibrox side fought back with Tavernier levelling from the spot in the 81st minute to take the game to extra-time but goals from Hoops skipper Callum McGregor and teenager Callum Osmand set up a meeting with St Mirren in the final on December 14 at the national stadium.
A “sore” Tavernier spoke to Walsh about the Trusty incident and revealed the conversation, saying: “He just said it’s obviously [down to] the force of the stamp.
“But it’s still the intent, the intent is obviously to put a boot on his head. So no matter if it’s hard or soft, it’s still his head.
“That’s obviously their job, but there’s no excuses for us today.
“He (Aasgaard) is really disappointed, his head is down, so it’s down to myself and the group to get right behind him.
“Obviously, I felt that decision like that, fair enough.
“But then decisions throughout the game, I think you obviously have to carry the same approach.
“Jack gets stood on the head and Dio (Mohamed Diomande) gets stood in the belly. So those have to be levelled off, I believe.
“But that’s no excuse for losing today.
“We’ve got to own it as players. But I think, obviously, the fans have seen the fighting spirit towards the end, but then it comes down to the final third, where we’ve got to be more clinical.”
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