Rangers Pair Handed Bans

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Rangers skipper Lee McCulloch and keeper Steve Simonsen will both miss Friday night's Scottish Championship clash with Hibernian after receiving Scottish Football Association bans. Defender McCulloch has failed in his bid to overturn the two-game ban handed to him for his stamp on Raith Rovers forward Dale Carrick. And Englishman Simonsen has also been handed a two-match ban, one of which is suspended, for breaching the SFA's strict betting rules. McCulloch was booked during Sunday's 2-1 William Hill Scottish Cup fifth-round defeat to Rovers at Ibrox on Sunday following his clash with Carrick. But on Tuesday, he was cited by the governing body's compliance officer Tony McGlennan for appearing to "deliberately stand upon" the on-loan Hearts striker's leg. The 36-year-old appealed that decision but the SFA confirmed on its Twitter account: "Lee McCulloch (Rangers FC) receives two-match ban (one match immediate and one match in Scottish Cup) following breach of Rule 200." Meanwhile, Gers keeper Simonsen will also miss the crucial Ibrox clash with Alan Stubbs' side after receiving his punishment. Simonsen was charged last month, with the SFA claiming the 35-year-old Englishman placed 18 bets last season and another 37 this term. SFA Disciplinary Rule 33 prohibits players, coaches, club officials and referees in Scotland from betting on football anywhere in the world. An SFA tweet on Thursday read: "Steve Simonsen (Rangers FC) receives two-match ban (one match immediate and one match suspended until end of season)." Rangers assistant manager Gordon Durie confirmed the club would not be appealing the ban. Simonsen will now miss Friday night's Scottish Championship clash with Hibernian at Ibrox, with Lee Robinson deputising in his place. Durie said: "Simo knows himself he was wrong. He has taken his punishment for it and Lee will start in goal tomorrow. "He has the right to appeal but I've just spoken to Simo there and I think that is it done and dusted now." Simonsen is the second Rangers player to have been found guilty of breaching the SFA's strict gambling rules. In September 2013, Ian Black was handed a 10-game ban - seven of which were suspended - and a £7,500 fine after he admitted to placing 160 football bets over a seven-year period. Three of the matches involved bets placed against the clubs he was playing for at the time - two while playing for Hearts and one while with Rangers. "We were all told at the start of the season about the betting scenario," said Durie. "Blacky was done, so hopefully this is a message to the other ones not to do it." Meanwhile, Ibrox midfielder Kyle Hutton has defended McCulloch against claims the Gers captain's physical style was always due to land him in trouble. He said: "He's not overly aggressive - he's just aggressive. That's the type of player he is. Aggressive and fair."