Rangers should have had second red card against Celtic as ex ref picks out incident that flies under the radar

The Ibrox side should have had a second red card, according to a former referee

Former top English referee Keith Hackett is adamant Rangers should have a man sent off before Thelo Aasgaard was given his marching orders against Celtic at Hampden.

The Light Blues were reduced to 10 men when the Norway international was dismissed for a crude challenge on Anthony Ralston.

That decision and the one not to send off Auston Trusty for a kick at Rangers keeper Jack Butland has been scrutinised.

But another one has slipped under the radar and Hackett, an ex FIFA referee and former head of PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), brought it into focus.

It came when Derek Cornelius went in on Johnny Kenny and caught the Republic of Ireland striker on the ankle.

And speaking to Ibrox News, Hackett said: “The player launches himself off the ground and into his opponent. The foul challenge warranted a red card for serious foul play.

“The challenge used excessive force and endangered the safety of his opponent. The colour of the card raised should have been red not yellow.”

Ex Celtic keeper Pat Bonner, speaking on BBC Scotland, admitted: “That’s a bad tackle, a bad tackle, really, really bad tackle. He’s lucky he's low, he’s jumped into it and he’s got a bit of the ball. It’s a poor, poor tackle. For a centre-half to come that distance and dive in… He’s a lucky man."

Former Rangers striker and coach Billy Dodds said: “He’s gone over the ball and caught him on the ankle as well so he’s low, he’s lucky. If he’s any higher I think he’s going off.”