Steven Gerrard reacts to Scott Arfield’s red card in Rangers win

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Glasgow Rangers claimed a 2-1 win that sent the Ibrox side to the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Steven Gerrard has told Rangers’ official website that he can understand why Scott Arfield challenged for the ball that led to his red card in the Gers’ win on Sunday, but admitted that he has no complaints about the decision.

Arfield’s dismissal took a bit of the shine off Rangers’ 2-1 victory against Hearts. The midfielder slid and caught Zdenek Zlamal as the goalkeeper attempted to keep the ball from crossing the line.

The challenge was robust and prompted a brawl inside Hearts’ net, and then resulted in Arfield receiving a red card. To some, it would have seemed needless given Zlamal had the ball under enough control before the Canada international went to ground.

But, while Gerrard did not disagree with the decision, he insisted that he has some sympathy for Arfield with the stopper briefly threatening to let the ball run loose.

“It is one of those things – as a midfielder and a goalscorer from midfield, you smell that little chance and he [Zlamal] only had it in one arm and them he drags it in last minute,” he told the club’s official website.

“So I feel a bit for Scotty, but at the same time we have no complaints as it was a bit late. It is what it is and we accept it, and I thought the officials today were good for both teams.”

It is a real shame for Rangers that Arfield was dismissed. Although Allan McGregor has rightfully stolen all of the headlines this week, the summer signing has arguably put in two fantastic displays this week.

It is a setback for the Gers, and the rest of the midfield are going to have to step up as filling the void that Arfield leaves behind while he is suspended is going to be an incredibly tough task.