MX23RW : Sunday, December 8 09:08:01| >> :600:264635:264635:
Dec 8, 2019 at 3pm UK at ​Ibrox Stadium
RangersRangers
vs.
Celtic

Borna Barisic doubtful for Rangers cup final against Celtic

Borna Barisic doubtful for Rangers cup final against Celtic
© Reuters
Steven Gerrard says referee John Beaton apoloogised to him for not giving Rangers a penalty against Aberdeen.

Steven Gerrard admits Borna Barisic faces a race to be fit for Sunday's Betfred Cup final.

The Croatia left-back suffered a number of painful kicks to his foot against Hamilton last month and had to be given an injection to allow him to face Feyenoord and Hearts.

But the problem has failed to subside and Barisic was left out of Gerrard's team as they threw away a two-goal lead in Wednesday night's 2-2 draw at Aberdeen.

Aberdeen v Rangers – Scottish Premiership – Pittodrie Stadium
Aberdeen's Greig Leigh (right) vies with Rangers' Joe Aribo for the ball at Pittodrie Stadium (Graham Stuart/PA)

Jon Flanagan stood in for the former Osijek defender but the Ibrox boss will be desperate to get a player who has laid on 10 goals for Gers this season already back into his line-up.

Gerrard said: "Barisic is a doubt for Sunday. He was limping about yesterday so we'll have to see how he is.

"He has been receiving treatment today so we'll analyse that tomorrow but at the moment he is a doubt.

"He's had three or four kicks in a similar area on his foot and he's got some bone bruising there. We'll have to decide what's best for him to do tomorrow."

Barisic's injury is another worry for Gerrard after he saw his side slip two points behind Celtic in the Ladbrokes Premiership title race.

Rangers dominated the opening half hour in the Granite City and took a deserved two-goal lead through strikes from Scott Arfield and Ryan Jack.

But they threw the win away as their intensity levels fell off a cliff.

Jon Gallagher was to blame for the Light Blues' opener but made amends as he fired Derek McInnes' team back into the contest and, with confidence levels renewed, they snatched a point with Andy Considine's close-range finish just after half-time.

Rangers should have had a penalty late on as Lewis Ferguson tripped Alfredo Morelos in the box but referee John Beaton decided the foul was outside the area.

Gerrard revealed the official later apologised for his mistake. "It's 100 per cent a penalty," he said.

Aberdeen v Rangers – Scottish Premiership – Pittodrie Stadium
Rangers' manager Steven Gerrard during the Scottish Premiership match at Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen (Graham Stuart/PA)

"I'm surprised it's not given as the referee is three yards away and looking right at it. He has seen it since and agrees it is a blatant penalty he has missed.

"I have to be very careful what I say, obviously. But I don't think there will be a more disappointed person outside of Rangers tonight than John.

"He has just explained to me that he got it wrong, right in front of his eyes, and there is no excuse. There is nothing more I can say on it to be honest.

"Did he apologise? Yes. I went to see him."

body check tags ::

Click here for more stories about Steven Gerrard

Click here for more stories about Rangers

Share this article now:
Instagram - Follow Sports Mole
Olivier Ntcham and Jozo Simunovic look dejected after the opposition's second during the Champions League qualifying game between AEK Athens and Celtic on August 14, 2018
Read Next:
Olivier Ntcham back in Celtic squad
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

Premier League
Championship
Scottish League Cup
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Primeira Liga
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Russian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
Swiss Super League
Danish Superliga
Segunda Division
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
Argentine Primera Division
Brasileiro
Liga MX Playoffs
Australian A-League
Women's Super League
European Champions Cup
NFL
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16151040142646
2Leicester CityLeicester1511223592635
3Manchester CityMan City16102444192532
4Chelsea169253124729
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd166642519624
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs166553023723
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves155822117423
8Crystal Palace166461418-422
9Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd154741715219
10Arsenal154742123-219
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155461522-719
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton155371822-418
13Burnley165382129-818
14Everton165291928-917
15Bournemouth164481824-616
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham154471725-816
17Aston Villa154382224-215
18Southampton154381733-1615
19Norwich CityNorwich1532101632-1611
20Watford16169930-219

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!