Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has expressed his “surprise” that Livingston manager Gary Holt saw fit to criticise the Filip Helander incident against Livingston but not the one involving Joe Aribo.
The Lions boss criticised Don Robertson for the decision not to send off Helander after a tangle with Livi striker Dylan Dykes, later saying the referee apologised to his players on the park [Daily Record].
But Steven Gerrard was left frustrated after Holt failed to call out the dangerous elbow of Ricki Lamie which lead to Joe Aribo needing 20 stitches.
“I don’t think he’s [Ricki Lamie] gone into hurt Joe, there’s no accusation there,” said Gerrard [Rangers].
“That in my book, is serious foul play and across the board, not just my players, that should be a red card because in any other league it’s a red card.
“On the other side, Gary Holt said we got away with one with Fil Helander. Having seen that back he’s definitely got a case.
“That’s the reason why I said what I said after the game, because their manager went on record and was only interested in a red card for his team and never really mentioned Joe Aribo, or Joe Aribo leaving and getting 20 stitches in his forehead, so that was a bit of a surprise.”
A visibly frustrated Gerrard is clearly appealing for balance and given the severity of the incident would’ve perhaps enjoyed a little more recognition of it from Holt.
Sensing that frustration, a journalist continued to ask questions on Holt to Gerrard and the Rangers boss wasn’t afraid to speak his mind.
When asked if Holt’s comments were in “poor taste” Gerrard responded:
“Only the line, where he said he thought ‘Rangers got away with one’, I just thought maybe that wasn’t the right line.”
Rangers beat Livingston 1-0 thanks to an early Glen Kamara goal and will now face Hearts in the Betfred Cup semi-final in early November.
