Rangers fans were left fuming by the performance of referee during the course of their fiery 1-1 draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie and the Scottish Cup quarter-final will be decided by a replay at Ibrox next Tuesday.
Sam Cosgrove's penalty gave Aberdeen an early lead before Joe Worral clipped home a second-half equaliser for Rangers, although it was the performance of referee Kevin Clancy, and his treatment of Alfredo Morelos in particular, which caused a massive stir on Twitter.
Morelos, who has scored 28 goals in 41 games in all competitions,has rarely shied away from controversy during a debut season in Scotland that has seen him pick up four red cards. Three of those red cards had come in five previous appearances against Aberdeen and he trod a tightrope on Sunday.
The 22-year-old received a yellow card for simulation and was perhaps a touch fortunate to not be heading for an early bath when Clancy missed a petulant kick-off that would surely have warranted a second booking...
@chris_sutton73 talks us through the Morelos and Cosgrove incidents 🧐
#ScottishCup
However, Rangers fans were angry with Clancy for failing to provide Morelos with more protection and they vented their fury on Twitter...
Picked kamara ref was aberdeens motm how they finished wi 11 ill never knw n what does morelos have to do to get a bit of protection yet refs are all over him when he does the slightest thing [@DeekieBoy84]
Others were quick to commend Morelos for not reacting to supposed provocation...
For a ‘hot head’ who can’t control himself. (Direct quote from Willie Miller btw) Morelos did pretty well playing for so long on a yellow, getting kicked all over the park and not reacting once. [@CommanderBjork2]
Others were vocal in their criticism of their referee and held nothing back...
Clancy. You are a cheating rhat. You referee Rangers and Morelos to a completely different standard #Cheat [@StevieGc01872]
I’m no one for chanting about refs but he was brutal the day a think a counted Morelos getting one free kick, shocking, @JoeWorrall5 let’s see if all the critics come out today, thanks for keeping us in the cup big guy [@nemiboy1872]
It was certainly a tough day for the referee but not all Rangers fans were angry...
Poor first half, Average second.
Worrall MOTM, Morelos lucky to have lasted the 90 as were a few Aberdeen players, Thought Clancy done well
Not sure why we opted to make no substitutes, Big performance needed in 9 days [@GersCentral]
Although most were fuming!
Kevin Clancy really does hate Alfredo Morelos. That was absolutely shocking today. [@chrispbacon1204]
