Alfredo Morelos' season got off to a sour note only 12 minutes into Rangers' first league game - but should he have seen red? The Colombia striker was sent off by referee Kevin Clancy for a kick at Aberdeen defender Craig McKenna, which was spotted by the assistant referee and earned him the first red card of his professional career. Sky Sports pundit Kris Commons called the decision "very harsh" but scolded Morelos for giving McKenna a decision to make on the first weekend of the season, and pending a possible appeal he will now miss the Gers' next three games. Manager Steven Gerrard said after the game his side may look to have the decision overturned, but echoed Commons' thoughts, while Derek McInnes felt he could have "no complaints" over his dismissal. Do you think Morelos should have been sent off? Click play on the video above and see for yourself.<doc-sep>Rangers will appeal the red card shown to striker Alfredo Morelos early on in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Aberdeen, according to a report. Rangers reportedly intend to appeal the referee's decision to send off striker Alfredo Morelos in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Aberdeen. The 22-year-old was dismissed inside the opening 12 minutes of his side's opening Scottish Premiership match of the season for an apparent kick at opposition defender Scott McKenna. Referee Kevin Clancy spotted the off-the-ball incident and reached into his back pocket, but Gers boss Steven Gerrard claimed after the match that were was a conspiracy against his side, with McKenna avoiding punishment for an earlier shove. According to Sky Sports News, Rangers will submit a formal appeal to the Scottish Football Association before Tuesday's 3pm deadline. Morelos will be handed a two-game ban if the appeal fails, ruling him out of games against St Mirren and Kilmarnock in league and cup respectively.<doc-sep>RANGERS striker Alfredo Morelos was controversially shown a straight red card 12 minutes into the season opener against Aberdeen. The 22-year-old was involved in an off-the-ball incident with Scott McKenna, as he reacted to a barge from the Scottish defender outside the box. 4 Rangers forward Alfredo Morelos was shown a straight red card 12 minutes into the clash against Aberdeen Credit: PA:Press Association 4 Morelos, 22, reacted after being barged by Scott McKenna in an off-the-ball incident Credit: PA:Press Association Morelos reacted by kicking him in the shin, but his actions appeared to only warrant a yellow card at best. Rangers fans were left furious with the incident, with many believing the sending off was too harsh. New boss Steven Gerrard could hardly believe his luck just minutes into his first game in charge in the Scottish Premiership. But his mood soon changed after James Tavernier netted in the 30th minute from the penalty spot to fire the Ibrox outfit in front following a handball from Dominic Ball. 4 Morelos was looking sharp before he was given his marching orders by the referee Credit: PA:Press Association 4 Fans believe Morelos deserved a yellow card at best over the incident Credit: PA:Press Association But his spot-kick wasn't the major talking point of the first half, with supporters in disbelief how referee Kevin Clancy gave Moreles his marching orders. One fan tweeted: "Silly kick by Morelos for the sending off. Very harsh red card. "However, how on earth did Scott McKenna not get anything for two blatant off-the-ball barges, which the Colombian reacted to. Strange decisions." While another said: "For Kevin Clancy to send off Morelos is glaring incompetence, to not send Dom Ball off has to be considered cheating surely." Former Celtic ace Kris Commons told Sky Sports the player has only himself to blame. He said: "It's 10 minutes into a game, they've got off to the perfect start in terms of possession, but it's his lack of knowledge about who's watching him on the big stage. "It's a very harsh red card, but it's the position he continues to put himself into which gives the officials the opportunity to give it." Here are some tweets from fans defending Morelos... I'm not blaming the referee here at all, that's all down to the linesman who's clearly said it's a red as the ref hasn't seen it at all. I will say it's another stupidly rash thing for Morelos to do but didn't justify a red. — Richard McLuckie (@Acemcl) August 5, 2018 Silly kick by #Morelos for the sending off. Very harsh red card. However, how on earth did Scott McKenna not get anything for two blatant off-the-ball barges, which the Colombian reacted to. Strange decisions. — Martin Williams (@Martin1Williams) August 5, 2018 Morelos gets barged twice. Morelos leg comes out from being barged. Andy Walker can spout as many lies as he likes. It’s not a red card. It’s an utter disgrace from pathetic officials. — BMC (@BMCRangersRants) August 5, 2018 Wow! Morelos sent off at Pittodrie! Seems incredibly harsh to me??? — Pie and Bovril 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@pieandbov) August 5, 2018 McKenna should be off the park and Morelos should still be on it, appalling refereeing — Grant (@grantmckay7) August 5, 2018 The referee cheated by putting Rangers down to 10 men and despite corrupt decisions going against us we are 1 up against Aberdeen🇬🇧 — Ross McCulloch (@Rossmac212) August 5, 2018 You might say that’s a soft red for Morelos but if you’re his teammates or manager you’d be absolutely raging with him for being so stupid. — David Preece (@davidpreece12) August 5, 2018 You might say that’s a soft red for Morelos but if you’re his teammates or manager you’d be absolutely raging with him for being so stupid. — David Preece (@davidpreece12) August 5, 2018 This would be so comfortable without the red card. Incredibly harsh but when will Morelos learn. Ryan Jack absolute perfection. Keep the heads second half and we’ll win this 🔴⚪️🔵 — Pete (@rankin17) August 5, 2018<doc-sep>
Steven Gerrard wasn't pleased with his striker Alfredo Morelos following his straight red card. Gerrard took charge of his first league game as Rangers boss, and only managed to record one point against Aberdeen after Bruce Anderson's last gasp goal. Rangers took the lead courtesy of a first-half penalty, converted by James Tavernier. Advert 10 The other main first-half talking point was Morelos receiving a red card for an off-the-ball incident in the 12th minute for kicking out on Scott McKenna. And as Morelos walked off the park, Gerrard failed to acknowledge him, clearly angry with the Colombian. Image: PA Nightmare start for Gerrard, Rangers down to 10 men after 10 minutes. Morelos sent off for off-the-ball incident & Gerrard does not even acknowledge him as he leaves field. - Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) August 5, 2018 Advert 10 However, people on Twitter sided with Morelos with many thinking it was a harsh call by the referee: Morelos gets barged twice. Morelos leg comes out from being barged. Andy Walker can spout as many lies as he likes. It's not a red card. It's an utter disgrace from pathetic officials. - BMC Rangers Rants (@BMCRangersRants) August 5, 2018 I'm not blaming the referee here at all, that's all down to the linesman who's clearly said it's a red as the ref hasn't seen it at all. I will say it's another stupidly rash thing for Morelos to do but didn't justify a red. - Richard McLuckie (@Acemcl) August 5, 2018 I wouldn't have sent Morelos off for that. There might a lot of ten a side games this season. #RangersFC - Peter Martin (@PeterMsport) August 5, 2018 Advert 10 Anyone just see Morelos' red card? Very harsh! - Flanallana (@Flanallana) August 5, 2018 Watching Aberdeen vs Rangers. Morelos definitely kicked out, but that was never a red card! Referee didn't even see it until his linesman told him. - Len (@LenM4) August 5, 2018 I'm no fan of Morelos but how the fuck was that a red card? - Stevie Beveridge :flag_black: (@StevieBev) August 5, 2018 That was never a red card for Morelos - James McKie (@jamesmckie94) August 5, 2018 Advert 10