The ugly Rangers vs Motherwell Hampden semi-final catches fire as Rodgers claimed star looked like he’d been SHOT

The last time these two met in the League Cup last four, it was blood and thunder – literally, in one case

Motherwell and Rangers square off in the League Cup semifinals. And if past encounters between these parties at this point are any indication, it will undoubtedly be harsh, ferocious, and filled with incidents.

It’s the first time Philippe Clement and Stuart Kettlewell have faced off in the final four since October 2017, a day that went down in history for a variety of reasons. They will battle for a spot in the final against either Celtic or Aberdeen.

Motherwell supporters expect more of the same from their squad this weekend and will remember it most for the incredible Louis Moult performance. In a 2-0 victory, the Englishman, who was then in peak form, scored both of their goals, most notably lobbing Jak Alnwick from range.

Cardoso was left with blood streaming down his face, looking like he’d been ‘shot’ according to Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, and had to go off injured. That sparked a furious touchline fracas that seen both Pedro Caixinha and Stephen Robinson BOTH sent to the stands.

However, it was also one of the most tense games played in the national stadium in memory. Between those two goals, Ryan Bowman’s elbow broke the nose of Gers defender Fabio Cardoso, an event that referee Steven McLean completely overlooked. To the fury of the Rangers bench, it went unpunished back then because there was no VAR.
In the subsequent season of his initial tenure at Parkhead, Rodgers observed that one as his club defeated Motherwell in the championship game. And he could relate to Caixinha’s rage.

“The center-half left the field on Sunday,” he stated. Christ, he wouldn’t have looked any worse if he had been shot. It was astounding. Pedro would have been irritated, and I can totally understand that.

With some of the issues we witnessed, you are putting the lives and careers of athletes in jeopardy. The player who tackled Kieran the previous season did not receive any punishment. On Sunday, there were a few choices that would have concerned me. I felt that the officials’ authority during the game was lacking.

You’re also considering the players’ well-being. We all want our team to be aggressive and dedicated, but you also want the officials to enforce rules and regulations, and Sunday’s officiating seemed to lack power in my opinion. You must try to make the other player as uncomfortable as possible, but if you go too far and start acting recklessly, putting the other player in danger, then you have to look at it. There is retrospective action available, so in situations like this you have to look at it.”

The controversy didn’t end there. On a day when – miraculously – only five players were penalized, Rangers defender Bruno Alves was left looking plainly furious and kicked out at Moult on the floor. This was another incident that the referees ignored and went unpunished.

After the match, an enraged Alves declared, “This was not good behaviour.” I’m not happy about today. The umpire had room for improvement. The elbow to Fabio’s face was the first action of the game. Everything can happen after that.

“It doesn’t matter if it was deliberate. He opened the mouth of Fabio and this is not a good thing. This was the beginning. This is not acceptable. I don’t like to find excuses for when we lose but for me it is really disappointing. You start off playing football and then you are playing other things.

“I am sad because we lost the game and I am sad about what happened. Fabio broke his nose. I am disappointed with this.”