Rangers passed up the opportunity of setting up an Old Firm final in the Scottish League Cup following a 2-0 semifinal loss at the hands of Motherwell on Sunday.
In a feisty clash that saw both managers sent to the stand, the Ibrox outfit were 2nd best all game, as summer target Louis Moult singlehandedly dealt a blow on Rangers’ silverware chances with his brace.
Things got very physical between both sides, and hell almost broke loose after referee Steven McLean refused to book Ryan Bowman, who was already on a yellow, despite catching Fabio Cardoso with an arm.
The bloody nose the Portuguese defender suffered provoked Rangers’ summer signing Bruno Alves into losing the plot, with the veteran eventually kicking out at Moult late in the game.
Although the 35-year-old admitted Well were the better team, he believed they got away with a lot of fouls that should have been booked, indirectly blaming the ref’s leniency for his team’s loss.
According to the Portugal international: “I don’t like to speak too much about referees, but he cannot allow this kind of behaviour, because this is too much.
“It happened too many times. I am really concerned about this kind of behaviour.
“This is not football. I also like physical contact and to play hard but this was too much.
“The first action in the game was an elbow in the face of Fabio. After this anything can happen. It can happen but he opened Fabio’s mouth. It’s not acceptable.
“I don’t like to find excuses for why we lost but I am really disappointed about this.
“I’m sad because we lost the game but I’m sad about what happened. Fabio broke his nose. What more can happen?”
