Rangers felt they should have had a two-man advantage
Former Rangers stars Kris Boyd and Ally McCoist believe Curtis Main should have seen a straight red card at Pittodrie this afternoon.
The Aberdeen striker went in with his studs up against Borna Barisic and was shown a yellow card by referee John Beaton, but Boyd insists the Englishman should have received a heavier punishment.
Main was taken off shortly after by manager Derek McInnes.
Aberdeen were already down to 10 men after Ryan Hedges was sent off for clipping Alfredo Morelos in the box, with James Tavernier putting the resultant penalty wide.
Morelos put Rangers ahead seven minutes later when he drilled a left-foot shot past Dons keeper Joe Lewis, and added a second shortly after the restart.
Reacting at the time on Sky Sports, Ally McCoist said: “I tell you what it is, it’s a silly challenge.
“Doesn’t matter if it’s a yellow, it’s a silly challenge.
“You’re down to 10 men. Derek must be thinking ‘Why are you going for a ball like that?’
“Ooh, I’ll tell you what. it could have been red. I’ll tell you right now it could have been red.
“Barisic understandably very upset. Could easily, easily have been a red card that.
“Why’s he going for it? I’ll tell you what, I’ll go a step further. It IS a red.”
That assessment was backed up by another Rangers striker at half-time. Asked by host Eilidh Barbour if it should have been a red, Boyd replied: “All day long.
“In terms of endangering the opponent, he’s definitely done that.
“I think Barisic is clever, he kind of jumps out the road of it, but the intent was there from Curtis Main, and he’s lucky.
“He gets taken off a few minutes later, but he’s lucky he’s not in an early bath as well.”
Aberdeen pulled a goal back through Matty Kennedy with 23 minutes remaining, but Steven Gerrard’s side held out for a vital 2-1 win.
The result puts them 22 points ahead of Celtic, who have four games in hand.
The first of those is due to take place on Monday night, when Hibs are the visitors to Celtic Park.
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