Raging Rangers boss Philippe Clement claimed John Lundstram was “kicked off the pitch” in the 2-0 cinch Premiership win over St Johnstone at Ibrox.
The Belgian watched luckless striker Kemar Roofe go off after just 16 minutes with another injury but replacement Cyriel Dessers fired the Light Blues ahead in the 28th minute before Diallang Jaiyesimi was soon sent off for a hefty challenge on Lundstram after a VAR intervention saw referee Alan Muir upgrade a yellow to a red with the Rangers midfielder kept in at the break.
Rangers doubled their lead in the 84th minute with a penalty from skipper James Tavernier to go within two points of leaders Celtic with a game in hand.
But Clement was unhappy with the tackle on Lundstram who is a doubt for the fixtures before the January break, including the Old Firm game at Parkhead on December 30, while Roofe will also be “assessed” on Thursday.
Clement said: “It’s another player who is kicked off the pitch, so I am really frustrated with that. It’s his ankle so we will see in the next couple of days what will happen.
“This for me is my main concern after the game – again a player kicked off the pitch. I’m not sure we can get him back before the winter break so that’s not a good situation.
“I don’t want to go in on emotions after the game, I am a little boiling so it’s better to cool down and make opinions about leagues or whatever.
“But it clearly wasn’t a good challenge with your studs forward like that. We had an even worse one later in the game when the guy luckily hit the ball and not my player (Dan Phillips on Kieran Dowell), the intensity there was to break a leg.
“Those things are not good for football.”
Asked why he took off Tavernier in the closing stages, Clement said: “It was more to see I don’t lose any more important players for the next couple of weeks and not to take risks that another one was kicked off.”
On the game, Clement said: “We did a lot of things well. We had control of the game from the start until the end. It is not easy to play against 10 men when they are so deep, with no space.
“We kept our organisation, my defenders stayed focused. We could have had more goals, a few good saves also.
“We were waiting for that second goal, it came late. But we kept on pushing to get the goal and we had enough chances to do that.”
St Johnstone boss Craig Levein had no complaints about the red card.
He said: “I thought it was a red card. I thought the referee was right. In the modern day that’s a red – certainly if it had happened to one of our players I’d be calling for a red card so I am not going to sit here and say anything different.
“He has gone in with force and hasn’t got the ball. It is a red card.”
On the Dan Phillips challenge, however, he said: “I thought that was a good tackle.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Maresca - Jack You can't elbow players.Nicolas Jackson - Ok boss LOL Haaland the last time Arsenal won the league.. South America owns football he is here …. How good is Cruzeiro? GOAT RECOGNIZES GOAT! Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Emi Martinez 'dreaming' of a move to Man UtdAston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is reportedly keen on a move to Manchester United this summer amid the Red Devils' uncertainty regarding Andre Onana's future.The Sun has reported that a move to Old Trafford is Martinez's 'dream' and Ruben Amorim is keen on “captains and leaders” in his squad, and is an admirer of the Argentine World ...
GARETH BALE wants to buy hometown club Cardiff.The Wales legend is leading a consortium to take over the League One side.Cardiff is the subject of takeover interest from local lad Gareth BaleBale's group sent a letter of intent to Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan last month, which was rejected.But it is believed the desire to acquire the club, relegated from the Championship, remains strong.The 35-year...
Since Mikel Arteta took the reins at Arsenal, there's been a pattern in his transfer strategy. Initially, France was the go-to source, with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba being prime examples, but the focus has since shifted. The Gunners have made successful forays into the Brazilian market, enjoyed a high success rate with Spanish recruits, and recently turned their attention to Italy. Howe...
Liverpool have broken their transfer record for the signing of Germany international Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, the club announced on Friday.ESPN previously reported the deal to be worth a total of £116 million ($156.27 million) -- it includes an initial £100 million payment with £16 million in add-ons.Wirtz has signed a five-year deal with the Premier League champions, a ...
Al-Ittihad rival Monaco for Pogba signatureAS Monaco face competition for Paul Pogba's signature.The free agent is in talks with Monaco about a playing return, having been suspended since last year due to a failed doping test.Released by Juventus earlier this year, Pogba is now free to resume his playing career and talks with Monaco are underway.However, Fichajes.com says Al-Ittihad, from the Saud...
Man Utd plan to loan Rashford to Inter Milan ahead of next season in shock moveManchester United plan to loan out winger Marcus Rashford this summer as the club continues to look for a buyer.As reported by the Manchester Evening Standard, United are preparing for the prospect of loaning out Rashford for the entirety of next season after the winger fell out with manager Ruben Amorim last season. Th...
Napoli coach Conte: I really didn't think we'd sign McTominayNapoli coach Antonio Conte admits he didn't think Scott McTominay could be signed from Manchester United.McTominay joined Napoli in the final days of the summer market and ended the season a Serie A winner and also named Player of the Year in Italy.Conte told Sky Italia: "I knew McTominay very well , he grew up in the Premier League with...
Thibaut Courtois has been a key player for Real Madrid since he joined the club from Chelsea in 2018Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said he will always be available to help new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen acclimatise to life at the Bernabeu.England defender Alexander-Arnold recently joined the club for 38m from0Liverpool while Spanish international Huijsen signed from ...
Barcelona superkid Yamal: We will definitely win the Champions LeagueBarcelona superkid Lamine Yamal is confident he will eventually win the Champions League.At 17, Yamal has won every trophy available in the domestic game - with a European title, at club level, still to be won.He told Barca Inside: "At 18 I ask for everything I had at 16 and 17, plus the title I am missing (the Champions League) ...
- 1 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 2 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 3 Man Utd have Hugo Ekitike 'advantage'
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Stunning Euro U21 reporter dubbed 'queen of Europe' in bold dress
- 6 Man Utd make decision on replacing Andre Onana with Emi Martinez this summer
- 7 DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB Leipzig
- 8 Real Madrid eye a trio of targets
- 9 Maddison and Wag announce they're expecting twins AGAIN
- 10 Neymar flaunts 'candy floss' pink outfit that costs more than a family car