STEVEN GERRARD said he’ll be interested to see if there’s a citing — Andy Halliday insisted it was a red card.
But at the end of a week when referees again made more headlines than players, Scott Arfield was more measured about another huge flashpoint.
Alan Power lunged into Ryan Jack with a high challenge, but was only booked by ref Alan Muir.
Gers ace Arfield said: “I thought Power went for the ball, he caught Jacko and got a yellow card.
“I don’t think he tried to take Jacko’s face off.
“It’s just an incident where Jacko is brave and put his head there for the team. It’s one of those things.”
Power’s 24th-minute challenge was, Rangers’ penalty apart, practically the only incident of note in a competitive but scrappy Cup clash.
With flair sadly lacking, the midfield war of attrition became the game’s main talking point, which meant special scrutiny for Power’s challenge.
It was undoubtedly high. It would certainly have hurt. But reckless? Intentional? I didn’t think so.
Arfield did a smart job of deflecting the way the focus in recent days has been on officials.
The Ibrox ace added: “I don’t think I can say too much about it. It is what it is.
“They have the panel there and a compliance officer who makes the decision. We can’t affect it.
“Greegsy and Darnell Johnson at Hibs have been cited, but you just need to get on with it.
“I don’t really take much notice of it. I’ve missed games this season because of an incident against Hearts.
“But it’s like a decision a referee makes on a Saturday. You can’t change it.”
If there was some doubt about the colour of the card shown to Power, there was none about ref Muir’s other big call.
Kirk Broadfoot complained about the penalty decision given against him, but he sprawled full-length to block Arfield’s shot with both arms.
Gers skipper James Tavernier missed the spot kick, blasting it against Killie keeper Daniel Bachmann’s legs.
Other than Jermain Defoe going down very easily, for the second Saturday in a row, in a bid to win a second-half penalty, then firing a decent opportunity wide, there was little else to get exited about.
Both sets of fans will be hoping for a much better game in the replay next Wednesday.
Arfield admitted: “That’s the third time we’ve played Kilmarnock here and it’s been the same game every time.
Credit to them, they make it horrible. It’s one of the toughest places to come in the league, and they play to their advantage.
“We put a lot into the game last Wednesday at Aberdeen — and even in the St Mirren game before that.
“We had to go up to Aberdeen and win, and show a different side.
“I think the two games were very similar in terms of the performance against two teams that play the same way, it’s about the second ball and being at it.
“I don’t think we were fluid here, the surface at Rugby Park doesn’t allow you to be.
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/3859468/rangers-andy-halliday-kilmarnock-alan-power/What would you like him to say instead?
Professionals don’t tend to call out their fellow footballers in the way in which I’m guessing you would like Arfield to do so in this case.
Also, don’t tell our players to “shut the fuck up”. It makes you look stupid.
Actually, I agree with him.Don’t have a link and no C &P since I’m on phone. “I thought Power went for the ball, he caught Jacko and got a yello. I don’t think he tried to take Jackos face off...”
Sometimes I wish our players would just shut the fk up.
Its the Sun. Anyonw who believes what that pish comes out with needs help.Don’t have a link and no C &P since I’m on phone. “I thought Power went for the ball, he caught Jacko and got a yello. I don’t think he tried to take Jackos face off...”
Sometimes I wish our players would just shut the fk up.
Actually, I agree with him.
The difference is that if it had been a Rangers player, who on here believes that the referee would have seen it in such lenient terms?
Or that Clarke would have allowed it to have passed without some acerbic comment against our club?
Or that the referee would have gotten away with it in the papers without a wave of over the top vilification?
The game is reaching a point in Scotland where the press and media have totally fckd it with their bias and hatred.
So much so that they are now influencing who wins the competitions.
Anyone who questions it being a red card need their heads checked. The fact his boot was too high is an immediate danger to any player. As for a professional footballer's comments? He's being kind about it, I wouldn't take too much seriously, plus you never know what is said away from the media.
Probably didn't see it !.Did Steve Clarke the new spokesperson for referee watch comment on this?
Did Steve Clarke the new spokesperson for referee watch comment on this?
Are you at the wind-up or on drugs? Clubfoot today calling Defoe a “Diver” McKenna of the sheep, various Killie players and more all calling out our players for “over the top” tackles. Our manager just came out and said that he hopes for some “consistency” and he basically contradicts him. Again. This is why we as a club get shat all over. Too gullible by far. So yes. He should shut the fk up and say nothing especially when there are concentrated campaigns agains our players. Or did you miss the Morelos ban and the offer of a ban to McGregor through your drug haze?What would you like him to say instead?
Professionals don’t tend to call out their fellow footballers in the way in which I’m guessing you would like Arfield to do so in this case.
Also, don’t tell our players to “shut the fuck up”. It makes you look stupid.
We are too gullible by far mate. The players need to box clever. You know for a fact we’d still be hearing about it and seeing it had the roles been reversed.Actually, I agree with him.
The difference is that if it had been a Rangers player, who on here believes that the referee would have seen it in such lenient terms?
Or that Clarke would have allowed it to have passed without some acerbic comment against our club?
Or that the referee would have gotten away with it in the papers without a wave of over the top vilification?
The game is reaching a point in Scotland where the press and media have totally fckd it with their bias and hatred.
So much so that they are now influencing who wins the competitions.
What would you like him to say instead?
Professionals don’t tend to call out their fellow footballers in the way in which I’m guessing you would like Arfield to do so in this case.
Also, don’t tell our players to “shut the fuck up”. It makes you look stupid.
Give it another fortnight and Defoe will be a diver, just like Morelos became a hothead thanks solely to the media.So Defoe “went down too easily in an attempt to win a penalty, for the second game in a row”? No bias in that report then.
I think Halliday calls it 100% correct here.
Wanted to say just that.So Defoe “went down too easily in an attempt to win a penalty, for the second game in a row”? No bias in that report then.
Give it another fortnight and Defoe will be a diver, just like Morelos became a hothead thanks solely to the media.
When this comes to pass, I hope someone in a position to do so points out that 36 year old Jermain Defoe who made his professional debut at the age of 17, and is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, as well as being an all round good guy, suddenly becomes a diver in the tinpot backwater of Scottish football.
Because they will run with this angle. A throwaway line in a report, a couple of comments by pundits, then Crocker and MacLean start their questioning of every time he's scythed down. After that, BBC Scotland will run a discussion "Defoe - Dynamo or diver?" On this show, Alex Rae, Derek Ferguson and Tom English will give their opinions about how Defoe has always had that side to his game, and he's come up here and thought he'd get away with it against the good honest pros in the SPFL.
Give it another fortnight and Defoe will be a diver, just like Morelos became a hothead thanks solely to the media.
When this comes to pass, I hope someone in a position to do so points out that 36 year old Jermain Defoe who made his professional debut at the age of 17, and is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, as well as being an all round good guy, suddenly becomes a diver in the tinpot backwater of Scottish football.
Because they will run with this angle. A throwaway line in a report, a couple of comments by pundits, then Crocker and MacLean start their questioning of every time he's scythed down. After that, BBC Scotland will run a discussion "Defoe - Dynamo or diver?" On this show, Alex Rae, Derek Ferguson and Tom English will give their opinions about how Defoe has always had that side to his game, and he's come up here and thought he'd get away with it against the good honest pros in the SPFL.
Sounds like carcasm to meDon’t have a link and no C &P since I’m on phone. “I thought Power went for the ball, he caught Jacko and got a yello. I don’t think he tried to take Jackos face off...”
Sometimes I wish our players would just shut the fk up.
Don’t think so. You should read the full quote. He’s basically contradicting Gerrard instead of just keeping quiet. We are out own worst enemy whilst the poets have this down to a tee ( highlighting our player’s wild tackles).Sounds like carcasm to me
They play Celtic next. Think about it.
Aye and where was this comment from them when Sinclair who I wouldn’t say was like that either clearly dived against Dundee last season?Give it another fortnight and Defoe will be a diver, just like Morelos became a hothead thanks solely to the media.
When this comes to pass, I hope someone in a position to do so points out that 36 year old Jermain Defoe who made his professional debut at the age of 17, and is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, as well as being an all round good guy, suddenly becomes a diver in the tinpot backwater of Scottish football.
Because they will run with this angle. A throwaway line in a report, a couple of comments by pundits, then Crocker and MacLean start their questioning of every time he's scythed down. After that, BBC Scotland will run a discussion "Defoe - Dynamo or diver?" On this show, Alex Rae, Derek Ferguson and Tom English will give their opinions about how Defoe has always had that side to his game, and he's come up here and thought he'd get away with it against the good honest pros in the SPFL.
Don’t have a link and no C &P since I’m on phone. “I thought Power went for the ball, he caught Jacko and got a yello. I don’t think he tried to take Jackos face off...”
Sometimes I wish our players would just shut the fk up.
Give it another fortnight and Defoe will be a diver, just like Morelos became a hothead thanks solely to the media.
When this comes to pass, I hope someone in a position to do so points out that 36 year old Jermain Defoe who made his professional debut at the age of 17, and is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, as well as being an all round good guy, suddenly becomes a diver in the tinpot backwater of Scottish football.
Because they will run with this angle. A throwaway line in a report, a couple of comments by pundits, then Crocker and MacLean start their questioning of every time he's scythed down. After that, BBC Scotland will run a discussion "Defoe - Dynamo or diver?" On this show, Alex Rae, Derek Ferguson and Tom English will give their opinions about how Defoe has always had that side to his game, and he's come up here and thought he'd get away with it against the good honest pros in the SPFL.
Don’t have a link and no C &P since I’m on phone. “I thought Power went for the ball, he caught Jacko and got a yello. I don’t think he tried to take Jackos face off...”
Sometimes I wish our players would just shut the fk up.
It's a red card all day long. It doesn't matter a %^*& if the player is going for the ball. He is seriously endangering an opponent. It is the very definition of serious foul play, regardless if the intent was to kick the player or to win the ball.
People need help for believing a direct qoute?Its the Sun. Anyonw who believes what that pish comes out with needs help.
To be fair I dont think power did go out to injure anyone so on that point I agree with him however it's a red card simply by the fact it's dangerous.
Totally agree, even their supporters see him as a clogger. He Is exactly the kind of player Clarke likesDorrans has played, what, 10 minutes of football since Power snapped him at Ibrox last season? He's a dirty player, no doubt.