Rangers boss Mark Warburton unhappy with Andy Halliday dismissal

Rangers boss Mark Warburton blasted kill-joy referee Barry Cook for the controversial red-card shown to midfielder Andy Halliday at Cappielow.

His Ibrox side were forced to play out the final 20 minutes of their 2-0 win over Morton a man light after Halliday's dismissal.

The former Middlesbrough and Bradford battler raised a defiant arm in the direction of the home fans as his team-mates lapped up their second goal scored by Barrie McKay.

But Cook, on the advice of linesman David McKniff, bizarrely viewed his fist-pump as an offensive gesture and showed him a second yellow.

That left Warburton outraged, especially as Halliday - who has already had a red card against Hibs last month overturned - is now banned for the meeting with third-placed Falkirk on Saturday with no right of appeal.

Warburton - with a heavy dose of sarcasm - said: I've been told that the player was sent off for making an offensive gesture which had incited the Morton fans.

The player made that fatal mistake of celebrating the second goal. It was scandalous behaviour on his part.

We will look at it and say all he has done is shown his passion for the game and for the club.

We scored a second goal and you have to enjoy it. You have to enjoy football and the nice moments.

We have watched it from every angle and we are bemused and frustrated.

We have lost an important player to a second yellow and you can't appeal for what we find the most frustrating decision.''

As upset as Warburton was with Halliday's treatment, he was pleased to see them battle through to a win which re-establishes their five-point lead at the top of Championship.

Kenny Miller fired Gers ahead after 26 minutes when a Halliday strike broke into his path.

And the former Scotland striker followed up his 12th goal of the season with a precision assist as he slotted McKay in for the second midway through the second period.

It was a harsh scoreline on Ton given the workrate they put in to contain the league leaders but Warburton was pleased to see his side come through a testing evening.

Sometimes the term is win ugly or whatever you call it,'' said the boss.

Morton are a very good side, well organised and this ground is a very tough place to come.

We kept them in the game too long because we knew the threat they posed. But to come here and win 2-0 is really pleasing.''

Morton manager Jim Duffy was unhappy with Miller's goal - even though TV replays show it was onside.

He said: The first goal was a big turning point for us. I think it was the wrong decision, I think it was offside. That meant we then had to chase the game and Rangers could play on the counter attack.

The referee got it wrong. It is a deflection - that's not a pass or our player trying to play the ball. It's a ball hitting one of our players, so that's offside. If it is perceived by others to be a good goal, fair enough, but that for me was a turning point.''