Steven Gerrard is facing a potential touchline ban that could leave him in the stands for Rangers’ upcoming clash with Celtic.
The Ibrox boss was sent off at half-time of Rangers’ clash with Livingston on Wednesday night after a furious confrontation with referee John Beaton.
Shortly before the interval, Alfredo Morelos was booked for simulation despite appearing to be bundled to the ground by Livingston goalkeeper Max Stryjek.
The decision did not sit well with Gerrard, who furiously confronted the referee at the whistle after his appeals were ignored by officials.
The Liverpool legend was heard yelling: “I know why you’re not speaking to me, it’s because you got it f****** bang wrong.
“You’re bang out of order.”
Beaton initially booked the 40-year-old but he was relentless in his complaints and was subsequently shown a second yellow.
You can look at Gerrard’s furious reaction, below…
Gerrard could now be facing a spell on the sidelines for his side’s upcoming games, including in this month’s Old Firm derby which could see Rangers crowned Scottish Premiership champions.
But the boss said after the game he is ready to face the music for his actions.
“This is on me,” said the Rangers chief.
“This has got nothing to do with any other manager or any other club, this is on me. This is my situation.
“I’ll go and enjoy this win and I’ll sleep well tonight, and I’ll get my team ready for St Mirren.
“Whatever letters come my way, I’ll deal with them.
“If someone wants to stop me being on the side of a pitch, don’t worry – I’ll celebrate when the time comes.”
It’s unclear how soon Gerrard will be punished, though. Hearts manager Robbie Neilson was charged with misconduct for his own confrontation with Beaton on January 23, but didn’t face a SFA hearing for almost a month.
Ex-Ross County boss Stuart Kettlewell also received a ban over comments he made about the same referee in August last year, but the sanction didn’t come into effect until the October.
Ironically, it was Morelos who had the last laugh as he netted an 87th minute winner to take Rangers one step closer to a first title in ten years
The Light Blues look set to have a March to savour, with their team now just two wins away from their first league crown in a decade.
But with Rangers potentially set for a Premiership title party when they head to Celtic Park on March 21, Gerrard could be forced to watch the celebrations from the stand if his case is decided early.
It was from his second-half perch in Livi’s main stand that he lapped up Morelos’ 87th-minute winner and make Livi sick again just three days on from their Betfred Cup final defeat.
The league race could yet be settled before the derby in any case if Rangers win at home to St Mirren on Saturday and Celtic fail to get a victory away to Dundee United the following day.
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