Rangers’ Andy Halliday insists Alan Power should have been sent off

Andy Halliday insisted Kilmarnock midfielder Alan Power should have been sent off for dangerous play in the first half of Saturday’s William Hill Scottish Cup stalemate.

Power was only shown a yellow card by referee Alan Muir for his high boot to the head of Ryan Jack on 25 minutes and Kilmarnock went on with a full complement of players to take Rangers to a replay at Ibrox a week on Wednesday.

Halliday said: ‘If you watch it back – and I’ve got the best view on the pitch, I’m just five, six yards away from it – it’s a red card. It’s as simple as that.

Kilmarnock’s Alan Power risked getting himself sent off with this high boot on Ryan Jack 

Jack’s Rangers team-mate Andy Halliday believed Power should have been sent off 

‘I don’t think it’s intent but it’s endangering an opponent. That’s clear, there’s no grey area in that. I agree, he certainly didn’t mean it, but I can remember, Sadio Mane on Ederson last year, exact same tackle, red card.

‘It’s a hard job to be a referee. It’s difficult, they get decisions wrong, they get decisions right. They’re only human, but I think everyone’s said the same word – and it’s consistency.’ 

When asked if he hoped there would be retrospective action taken against the midfielder, Halliday said: ‘I hope not. I don’t want to see anyone get suspended.’ 

Rangers top scorer Alfredo Morelos will be back for the replay as his three-match suspension spilling over from his sending-off at Aberdeen will not take in a second cup tie.

Jack goes down clutching his head following the high boot by Power at Rugby Park

Power did later get a blow to the head himself after a collision with Rangers’ Ross McCrorie 

However, Rangers are nursing grievance over their striker’s treatment and that of Allan McGregor, who has been cited for aiming a kick at Lewis Ferguson and will land a two-game ban if an appeal is unsuccessful.

So, when the Power incident was put to manager Steven Gerrard, the Ibrox boss offered a ‘no comment’ on the specifics of the clash but stressed he would be ‘interested to see whether there’s a citing’.

Gerrard will now do without Morelos for league games either side of the Kilmarnock visit – against St Johnstone and Hamilton.

‘Alfredo’s done and will serve his punishment,’ said Gerrard. ‘He’ll be back for the replay and he’ll be really, really up for that game.

‘It’ll be great to have him available. In terms of McGregor, you know what we’re doing with that. Every manager is looking for consistency but I’ve got nothing else to say.’ 

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard would not be drawn into the debate over Power’s kick

James Tavernier was left to rue a missed penalty as Rangers’ fifth round tie went to a replay

Rangers left regretting a James Tavernier penalty failure, one week on from converting two out of three against St Mirren in the league.

Daniel Bachmann saved his spot-kick on 14 minutes but Gerrard backed his captain to resume his scoring streak from 12 yards next time he is required.

‘The penalty was frustrating but James has been really strong from the spot,’ said Gerrard. ‘He’s got the courage to take it and he’s disappointed. But I’m pleased that he never let it affect his performance.

‘Defensively, we were really strong. Aside from a goalmouth scramble, we were perfect and that’s what we asked for. A clean sheet minimum keeps us in the cup and I’m pretty satisfied with the outcome.

‘Scott Arfield is like the walking wounded. He’s got a couple of dead legs, some tightness. Some of them are giving me more than I should be asking for and I’m pleased about that.’

Kilmarnock goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann saved Tavernier’s first-half penalty kick

Kirk Broadfoot revealed that Jermain Defoe had, for the second successive week, taken a tumble in the box and then claimed he shouldn’t have been awarded a penalty.

Defoe was accused of diving against St Mirren last week after winning a spot-kick – subsequently missed by James Tavernier.

On that occasion, Defoe leapt to his feet and stressed to Saints players that he hadn’t claimed for the award.

In the second half of Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Kilmarnock, Defoe fell under contact from Broadfoot and wasn’t given a penalty by Alan Muir. 

Broadfoot disclosed: ‘On the pitch Defoe said to me that he’d told the ref it wasn’t a penalty. He’s taken a wee dive and flicked his leg out but, to be fair to him, he’s said it wasn’t a penalty.’ 

Jermain Defoe goes down under the challenge of Kirk Broadfoot during the cup tie

Defoe escaped any censure for last week’s incident, prompting Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke to wade into the penalty row because his winger Jordan Jones had been cited and banned for two games for simulation. 

While that led to a public spat between Clarke and Rangers manager Steven Gerrard, the Rugby Park boss insisted there was no lingering bad feeling after Saturday’s Scottish Cup fifth-round stalemate.

‘I’ll have a little chat with him like I do with all the managers who come here,’ said Clarke. ‘It’s not about clearing the air or anything. It’s okay, it’s all part of the game – no worries at all with Steven.’ 

When asked if he was confident about going to Ibrox for a replay in 10 days, Clarke said: ‘Of course. We’ve been to Ibrox already this season and didn’t lose, we’re always competitive there.’