Michael Stewart has brought some much needed balance to the post-match reaction to Alfredo Morelos’s red card against Celtic. It’s his seventh sending off in 17 months, second at Celtic Park this year and his second in a fortnight after being sent off away to Motherwell.
As he trudged off the pitch on Sunday, he drew a finger across his throat in a gesture that is known worldwide, threatening and unpleasant.
Almost before he had reached the away dressing room the apologists were in full force, just as they had been at Motherwell earlier this month. It seems that the universal gestures that the angry striker displays at opposing fans has a completely different meaning in Colombia. How convenient.
As the apologists apply more and more spin there is one immediate thought. What would the reaction be to Scott Brown or Neil Lennon acting that way at Ibrox? How quickly could the Scottish Parliament be recalled?
Stewart has his off moment, he is only human after all but, although it is very shallow praise up against Kris Boyd, Steven Thompson and Derek Ferguson, he is by some distance the best Scottish pundit in the media. Brought up a Hearts fan, he had two spells at the club but isn’t blinded by misguided loyalty or the need to come out with the ridiculous to gain attention.
Not expecting anything other than usual partisan replies but here goes. First of all Alfredo Morelos is a top player who is improving all the time and clearly a good guy to those people that know him, all of this doesn’t mean that he’s some sort of innocent victim
— Michael Stewart (@mstewart_23) December 31, 2019
His behaviour and antics on the football pitch have been unacceptable at times and the gesture at the end of a great result and performance at Parkhead were ill advised. Equally though this shouldn’t mean that his good work off the park should be ignored.
— Michael Stewart (@mstewart_23) December 31, 2019
Rangers trying to polarise the debate around Morelos do nobody any favours, the player himself included. The club acknowledged they couldn’t defend his actions anymore earlier this year.
— Michael Stewart (@mstewart_23) December 31, 2019
He’s done really well this season to improve his discipline but the problem resurfaced on Sunday under extreme pressure. Morelos is clearly a flawed but he’s only human. So like most things there’s two side to the story and one side doesn’t mean the other should be ignored.
— Michael Stewart (@mstewart_23) December 31, 2019