Rangers expert makes ‘massive’ claim as Alfredo Morelos footage re-analysed
Alan Hutton has claimed Livingston were slightly unlucky to concede a penalty against Rangers on Saturday (18 February).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gers defender said referees can’t penalise every shirt pull but insisted Penrice’s tug on the shirt of Alfredo Morelos was “too obvious” to let slide.
As shown on Sky Sports (19 February), the Livingston defender grabbed hold of Morelos’ shirt as he jumped for Ryan Kent’s cross.
Referee David Dickinson didn’t initially award a penalty to the visitors but after being instructed to have another look at the incident on the pitchside monitor, he pointed to the spot.
James Tavernier converted the penalty and the Light Blues went on to win the game 3-0.
Hutton suggested David Martindale’s side were slightly unlucky to concede the spot kick.
“Obviously Morelos is jumping up and I do not think he is ever getting there,” he told Football Insider.
“The defender in front is always going to win the ball. But Penrice takes a massive risk to make such an obvious pull on his shirt. You can see it, he has nearly ripped it off his back.
“I do understand within the game of football there is little tugs here and there and if you were to give every one there would be 20 penalties a game but I think that one was just too obvious not to look at.“
In other news, according to sources, Rangers star Allan McGregor is almost certain to leave as replacement lined up.