Rangers told Dujon Sterling red should NOT be appealed as surprise cheerleader mounts 2 point defence

Sterling was given his marching orders by Don Robertson before his side ran out 3-1 winners over Aberdeen.

Rangers have been told that they should NOT appeal Dujon Sterling's controversial red card shown against Aberdeen.

However, Celtic hero John Hartson offered a firm defence of the Ibrox star over the second half sending off. Following the full-time whistle, Philippe Clement was adamant Sterling was hard done by during the Scottish Premiership clash after referee Don Robertson stuck with his original call to send him for an early bath for a crunching tackle on Jack Mackenzie despite being sent to the monitor by the VAR team. The Belgian hinted that the Ibrox side could appeal the decision with the Scottish Cup clash against Ayr United coming up this weekend.

But former Gers winger Murphy - in line to face his old club with Ayr United in the Scottish Cup on Saturday - reckons that the club should not go to the SFA to challenge whistler Robertson's decision - while conceding that the decision to hand Sterling a sending off was "harsh". Asked about a potential appeal, Murphy told the Go Radio Football Show: "It is probably a harsh red card, but I'm not sure about appealing it.

"You could see why the referee maybe think it's a red card with the speed that he comes in at. It is clear he stands on him so he does make contact, but there is a slip in there as well that you could say he doesn't mean. I don't think appealing would be the way I would do it anyway."

But Hartson disagreed and offered surprising back up to the Rangers star - noting that he had tried to slow down and had not made much contact. He responded to Murphy: 'I don't think Sterling can do anything.

"He tries to slow himself down and comes in quite quickly. As Jamie is saying there is a little bit of contact, but if you are looking to send players off for that type of tackle you will get a lot of red cards this season. He is a bit unfortunate."