After a smattering of pre-season friendlies and some Europa League ties, Steven Gerrard is getting his first taste of domestic football this afternoon. Traveling to last season's runners-up Aberdeen, it couldn't have gotten off to a worse start for the new Rangers manager.
With little or nothing between the teams in the opening ten minutes, Alfredo Morelos quickly made sure that this wouldn't be the case for long.
As Rangers built an attack down the left, the referee blew his whistle for no apparent reason to cease proceedings. Walking toward Morelos, he pulled out a red card to signal the end of the Colombian's afternoon.
Getting word from his linesman that something had occurred, it took a replay to discover that Morelos, after a minor collision with an Aberdeen defender, had thrown out a foot toward his opponent.
Perhaps a red card was fairly harsh, but there is no doubt Steven Gerrard will be left ruing Morelos' petulance.
You can watch the incident below.
Incredibly, Rangers reacted well, and through a James Tavernier penalty, currently lead Aberdeen 1-0.
