This week's Moanday blog takes us to the Scottish Premier League where a short burst of blood to the head saw a pro goalkeeper surprisingly showed a UFC fighting skill on an opposition player in what has been described as a disgraceful act from many quarters. Rangers Allan McGregor was the culprit, the goalkeeper lost his cool and sunk his studs into the back of Hibernian's Marc McNulty, and he was immediately shown a red card by the referee. Who moans more? McGregor? for the red card he received, that could keep him out of the remainder of the season? or McNulty? for the bruising and sharp pains, he suffered as a result of the kick?
Happy Moanday blog is @pete initiative, you are welcome to be part of it here, while it still last
Rangers hosted Hibernian in a Scottish league matchday 36 in a match in which the result is inconsequential for Rangers. They had already lost the league title to bitter rivals Celtic and were playing for nothing but pride and bragging rights over their stubborn opponent, Hibernian, the 3 previous league meeting against Hibs this season had all ended in a draw. A win this time would secure Rangers' 5th straight league wins. Hibernian, on the other hand, was also on a good run of form, unbeaten in their last 10 league matches, won 6 and drew 4 under their new manager Paul Heckingbottom. Hibs sits 5th on the league log table with 54 points, a win over Rangers would have drawn them closer to a 3rd place finish(occupied by Aberdeen prior to matchday 36), which is the last European spot.
Rangers started the match with the malign striker, Alfredo Morelos from the bench, having returned to the squad after completing his 4-match ban for violent conduct. Old warhorse, Jermaine Defoe again, spearhead Rangers' attack, and he was a menace in Hibs box, alongside teammate and fullback, James Tavernier. They, Rangers could have taken the 1st-minute lead, but wide-forward, Scott Arfield nodded narrowly wide, having been left unmark by Hibs defence. Defoe then missed another glorious chance in the 20th minute when put through on goal by Tavernier. However, 4 minutes before the half-time break, Rangers broke the deadlock, Defoe fired home from a Steven Davis square pass, to give the home side the only goal of the match. Hibs offered little or no threat to Rangers' rare guard, as they, Hibs spent all evening defending and only had a single shot on target all evening.
However, the moment of madness for McGregor unfolded in the dying minutes(89 min) of the regulation time, McGregor just made a good save from Hibs only effort on target, and he raced to launch the ball infield, and whatever he was thinking, he launched a kick into McNulty's back, have a look below;
McGregor was correctly dismissed by the referee and will serve a 2-match ban, which ultimately ruled him out of the season. Rangers, having used up their 3 substitutions, midfielder, Ross McCrorie took up the goalkeeping duty for the remainder of the 90 minutes plus 5 additional time, McCrorie even made a decent 90+4 minutes interception to denied Hibs an equalizer(talk about a villain and then a hero), as Rangers held onto the slim 1 nil victory.
McGregor has to remember that sport is all about good sportsmanship, an old saying goes;
Sportsmanship is making sure you have respect for the guy you're playing across from - Warren Moon
On a lighter note, if Allan McGregor is considering a change of career from football to UFC/kickboxing, his namesake, Connor McGregor of the UFC will sure be waiting in the arena, there is a saying;
you are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream - Aristotle
Thank you all for your support.
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