Former Rangers forward Iain Ferguson has defended Gers boss Steven Gerrard after he was sent off against Livingston, insisting that he will not criticise the manager for showing his emotions.

The Light Blues moved to within four points of the Scottish Premiership title after Alfredo Morelos scored a late winner to secure a 1-0 victory over Livingston on Wednesday.

However, it was Rangers manager Gerrard who grabbed the headlines after being sent-off at half-time for questioning the referee’s decision to book Morelos for an incident which he thought should have seen his side win a penalty.

Former Gers star Ferguson has come to the defence of the Englishman, explaining that he will not criticise the manager for showing his emotions.

The Scot is of the view that Gerrard’s actions are a sign of his passion towards the club and went on to laud him for the job he has done at Ibrox so far.

“I for one will never criticise the manager for showing his emotions like that because it shows how much it means to him“, Ferguson said on Rangers TV.

“He has been a magnificent person to bring through the doors at Ibrox and what a job he has done.

“It shows you the passion and the commitment he has, he voices his opinion at half-time.

“Probably he will look back at it and think he didn’t have to do that.“

With Gerrard being sent off at Livingston, it remains to be seen if the Gers manager will face a ban.

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Rangers legend Mark Hateley has expressed his admiration for Gers full-back Nathan Patterson and believes the club’s backroom staff will be delighted with his performance against Livingston.

Patterson made his first Scottish Premiership start of the season in Rangers’ 2-0 victory over Livingston on Wednesday night, helping them edge one step closer to the title.

Impressed with the 19-year-old’s display at the Tony Macaroni Arena, Ibrox great Hateley has asserted that there is a lot more to come from the Rangers academy graduate.

The former striker pointed out how Patterson is not scared to get on the ball and move forward from defence, but explained that the Gers are yet to see his ability to cut inside from the flanks.

Expressed his admiration for the teenage right-back, Hateley insisted that the Rangers backroom staff and players will be delighted for him following his performance against Livingston.

“I’ll tell you, there’s a lot to come from this young man“, Hateley said on the Rangers Ten10 Podcast.

“He’s not afraid to get the ball, he’s not afraid to carry the ball.

“He’ll stop it, he’ll look for the pass, he’ll look to play a one-two with himself, whether it is down the outside or in the inside.

“We haven’t seen much of him going on the inside yet.

“I saw him as a younger player, playing that one-two and wanting to go on to his left foot and then create something and expose something.

“So hopefully, he’ll start to bring that into his game.

“But, for the backroom staff and everybody, the players will be delighted for him.“

With Rangers edging closer to sealing the title, Patterson will be hoping to earn more starts between now and the end of the season.

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Rangers have revealed their line-up and substitutes to go up against Livingston in a Scottish Premiership clash this evening at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Livingston were edged out in the Scottish League Cup final at the weekend and will be desperate to bounce back by recording a shock win over Rangers tonight.

Steven Gerrard’s side boast a 15-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table and have yet to taste defeat this season; Livingston held Rangers to a 0-0 draw in the last meeting between the two clubs at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Allan McGregor slots into goal for Rangers tonight, while at full-back Gerrard hands Nathan Patterson and Borna Barisic starts.

Connor Goldson and Filip Helander provide the centre-back pairing, with Glen Kamara, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield in midfield.

Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent support striker Alfredo Morelos in attack.

If Gerrard needs to make changes he can look to the bench, where options available to him include Jack Simpson and Ianis Hagi.

Rangers Team vs Livingston

McGregor, Patterson, Goldson, Helander, Barisic, Davis, Kamara, Arfield, Kent, Aribo, Morelos

Substitutes: McLaughlin, Bassey, Simpson, Hagi, Defoe, Itten, Zungu, Wright, Stewart

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Rangers first team coach Michael Beale has admitted Steven Gerrard taking over the reins at Anfield is a possibility, but stressed there in no one better to lead Liverpool at present than Jurgen Klopp.

With Gerrard set to clinch his first major trophy as a manager as Rangers are closing in on the Scottish Premiership title, it has been a topic of discussion among the Liverpool faithful whether the ex-Red will replace Klopp when he leaves Anfield.

Beale, who is currently working with Gerrard at Ibrox, had a stint with Klopp at Liverpool as a youth coach, and has weighed in on whether the 40-year-old will one day return to the dugout on Merseyside.

The Gers first team coach feels Gerrard filing the Anfield hot seat is possible, provided he continues to be successful in his managerial career, gaining experience and adding more trophies to his CV.

Beale stressed that at present, there is no one better than Klopp to lead the Reds and lauded the German tactician as one of the top five coaches in the world.

Asked whether he sees Gerrard as the future replacement for Klopp at Liverpool, Beale told ESPN Brasil: “I find it difficult to predict the future, you must live today and try to be the best coach possible.

“At the moment, Klopp is one of the top five coaches in the world, and the best coach for Liverpool is Jurgen Klopp.

“He has done an incredible job so far.

“In the future, if Steven Gerrard can continue to be successful, win trophies and gain experience, then it is possible that Liverpool will be his future.

“But….every coach in the world dreams of leading a team like Liverpool.

“So, let’s see what the future brings.”

While Gerrard’s Rangers are enjoying a strong season in Scotland and in Europe, Klopp’s Liverpool have struggled with injuries and are now fighting for a top four finish in the Premier League.

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Rangers first team coach Michael Beale is of the view that the Gers have now regained their former status as the biggest club in Scotland as they continue their undefeated march to the Scottish Premiership title.

The Gers are runaway leaders in the top flight this season, currently boasting a 15-point cushion at the top over arch rivals Celtic, while maintaining their undefeated record.

Steven Gerrard’s men are now on course to end their major trophy drought, with the added bonus of preventing the Hoops from clinching their tenth top flight title in a row.

Gerrard’s coach Beale is of the view that the Gers have finally regained their status as Scotland’s biggest club this season with the title within their grasp.

Beale went on to stress that re-establishing Rangers as regulars in continental competitions is something they are striving for and promised they will push even harder next season.

Asked whether it is a different feeling to work at a sleeping giant like Rangers, Beale told ESPN Brasil: “I love the challenge of trying to make this club the largest in Scotland again and also reinstating them as regulars in European competitions

“So, this season has been very exciting, as we are close to completing this journey.

“For the next season, we will try to push even harder, but Rangers have now regained their former status as the biggest in Scotland.”

In addition to maintaining an undefeated record in the domestic league, the Gers have not lost in the Europa League so far this season and have booked their place in the round of last 16 against Czech outfit Slavia Prague.

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