McAvennie verdict on ‘rule change’ as controversial Alfredo Morelos footage emerges from Rangers
McAvennie has insisted Alfredo Morelos should “definitely” have been sent off in Hibernian’s game against Rangers on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Celtic striker said that in the past Morelos’ challenge might not have even been considered a foul.
As shown on Sky Sports (20 August), the 26-year-old was shown a red card in the Gers 2-2 draw with Hibs for an elbow on Marijan Cabraja.
The Colombia international was named on the bench for the fixture and replaced Antonio Colak for the final half an hour.
Morelos will receive a two-game ban and will miss the league game against Ross County in the league and their Premier Sports Cup game against Queen of the South.
He will return in time to face Celtic.
When asked for his assessment of the challenge, McAvennie told Football Insider: “I keep being reminded, football’s changed.
“In my day, it wasn’t even a foul. You put your arms up like that, in today’s game it’s a sending off. He can’t do that.
“It’s a different game today, they’re wrapped in cotton wool, you can’t touch them. In today’s game that’s a sending off.
“It’s only in the last few years it’s become as bad as this, you can’t touch anyone. It’s just the rules are coming in and the referees are so strict.
“A couple of years ago it would’ve been a booking and before that it wouldn’t have been a foul at all. The rules are changing all the time. But in today’s game definitely a sending off.”
In other news, Hutton is ‘surprised’ by Rangers after Nikola Katic transfer update.