Rangers’ Daniel Candeias can’t catch a break at the minute.
The players’ rough patch began in late October, when he was farcically sent off by referee Willie Collum in the dying moments of a league match at St Mirren.
Despite the clear and obvious lack of wrongdoing by the 30-year-old, the SFA then inexcusably ruled to uphold the referee’s decision.
After reluctantly serving his suspension, he returned to the side and to form, with a goal against Livingston last Saturday.
Fast-forward to a huge occasion at Ibrox last night. Yet again, he was the victim of a poor decision.
A late challenge just after the half an hour mark brought a deserved caution. Eight minutes later, he found himself trudging off the pitch again, this time apparently a victim of mistaken identity.
Candeias once again faces wrongful suspension
There was a foul committed, just not by the player given the second booking. Pressing well, three blue shirts isolated Santiago Caceres near the corner flag.
With nowhere to go, the midfielder was looking for an opportunity to go down and Morelos felled him by sticking out a clumsy left leg.
Candeias, in his eagerness to nick the ball back, rushed in and stumbled over the already falling opposition player. The Slovenian officials then somehow conspired to conclude that it was the Portuguese who had committed the main offence.
Rangers were disadvantaged for the entire second half and Candeias faces wrongful suspension once more.
The trip to Rapid Vienna next month represents a huge opportunity for the club, but a key player won’t travel.
He is a combative, high energy player. Yet recently, it seems any time he sticks true to that approach, he ends up with an early bath.
Receive a digest of our best Rangers content each week direct to your mailbox
