Chris Sutton has accused Rangers of trying to RUN the league by putting pressure on referees.

Kemar Roofe avoided a red card against St Johnstone in midweek for a late challenge on Murray Davidson while Alfredo Morelos was only retrospectively banned  for a stamp on Ryan Porteous in his side's 1-0 win over Hibs last weekend.

Sutton last week claimed refs were scared of the Colombian and his club and now he has doubled down on his suggestions, insisting whistlers are scared to brandish cards to Ibrox men. 

Sutton said on BT Sport's Scottish Football Extra: "With the Roofe stuff I thought there was a mistimed challenge.

"Look, was there any malice in it? You rob a bank for the first time but it was a poor challenge, I thought it was a red card and I think Scott Brown was a yellow card. But for Rangers to get involved once again, the conduct of Rangers has been pretty poor.

"We know what they're trying to do, put pressure on the authorities - trying to run the game. I said last week, Alfredo Morelos, the SFA and the referees are petrified of Morelos. The referees can't make a decision, they're scared to get the red card out."

Sutton's duelling partner, Rangers hero Ally McCoist, took the opposite opinion, but Sutton went on to deny that HE was piling pressure on referees with his comments by host Darrell Currie. The pundit snapped back: "No I'm not, I live down south I don't have any influence on the referees in Scotland.

"But they're petrified. When you stamp on someone, Alfredo, you deserve to get a red card. How many slaps, kicks, gouges, arm throws has he done over the years and gotten away with it."

Rangers appeared to aim a subtle dig at Celts after Scott Brown was not carded for a flailing arm on Aaron Tshibola against Kilmarnock and McCoist responded: "Steven Gerrard was 100 per cent spot on. He wasn't even close to having a point - he hit the point right on the head. That's what our Steven did, he got it spot on! Don't listen to that man!

"All Mr Gerrard is asking for a level of consistency and it looks like the compliance officer has maybe, just maybe, taken Steven's views on board. From where I'm sitting Steven Gerrard and Rangers' conduct has been nothing short of exemplary.

"They have accepted the decision regarding Morelos, not even complained.

"They've said, 'we'll accept this but what we would like is a level of consistency'."