MARK WARBURTON, the Rangers manager, is not prepared to let Andy Halliday’s controversial sending-off against Morton lie and will seek further discussions with the game's authorities over a decision which he insists makes him fear for the future of football.

Referee Barry Cook dismissed the Ibrox midfielder for a second bookable offence on Monday evening after he celebrated the second goal in his side’s 2-0 win at Cappielow by pumping his fist to his own supporters before turning towards a section of home fans in the stadium.

Warburton remains deeply unhappy with the reason offered on the night that Halliday could have sparked a “riot” and, having reviewed television footage of the incident, will endeavour to open lines of communication with the Scottish Football Association over what the red card means for the game going forward.

“I will seek some clarity and try to seek some sort of explanation,” he said. “I think everyone in football knows that if we start to go down that route, we would be booking players and sending them off every time there is a game played.

“It was a totally inappropriate decision. Andy is a local boy, a passionate Rangers fan and all he was guilty of was celebrating that goal. If that becomes an issue, we really do have a problem in the game.

“I will wait to hear an explanation, but it will just be the normal.

“Andy Halliday was guilty of celebrating a goal. We get the very important second goal and he celebrates in the middle of the pitch. To get a second yellow card for that is beyond belief.

“Look at the reaction of Andy Halliday. He can’t work out what has gone on.

“Look at our bench. We get no dialogue. That’s not a good enough process.”

Halliday is now suspended for Saturday’s league visit of Falkirk with Warburton pointing to the club’s inability to appeal against Cook’s decision a major flaw in the system.

He insists he understands the need for players to behave, citing the example of the now-infamous goal celebration from Emmanuel Adebayor, then of Manchester City, which saw him run 90 yards to celebrate in front of Arsenal supporters in the away end in 2009.

“It brings into question any player putting their finger to their lips or running down the side of the touchline,” said Warburton in an interview with Rangers TV.

“I’m thinking back to the game where Adebayor ran something like 80 or 90 yards to the fans. I can see that one, but the other night is a baffling, baffling decision and we will lose a player for a very important game in front of a packed Ibrox due to it as there is no appeals process.

“We got to look and ask ourselves: ‘Is that right?’.

“I just find the whole process and the whole decision frustrating beyond belief.

“I understand that, if your shirt comes off, you are booked. No shirt came off. He literally raised his hand in a clenched fist in terms of saying: “Great, we’ve scored a second goal”, a big goal in front of a tremendous away support.

“What has he done wrong? The explanation was that Andy made a gesture that could incite a riot or trouble with the Morton fans. I am bemused.

“If a player runs up to a section of fans and makes a gesture in front of them in an intimidatory manner, I understand absolutely. The last thing I want to see is any trouble or anyone hurt.

“Andy is in the middle of the pitch, walking back towards the Rangers fans.”

Warburton, meanwhile, has also railed against criticism of Rob Kiernan and claimed the central defender brought in from Wigan Athletic in the summer has the ability to progress to the highest levels of the sport.

“I am amazed that anyone has even been critical of Rob Kiernan,” he said. “I think he has been outstanding.

“You watch him, his quality of pass, his strength, his desire. It has been first-class. I cannot speak highly enough of Rob.

“I am amazed anyone would even question Rob Kiernan. He has come in here with a real focus and a real hunger to do well for the club and that has been displayed every time he has pulled the shirt on this season.

“I look forward to seeing Rob go from strength to strength and I have no doubt he will do.”

Warburton has also stated his view that Barrie McKay, who scored Rangers’ second goal in the win at Morton, can become a major star as long as he focuses his mind on the job in hand.

“He has confidence with both feet and is technically first-class. I just want Barry to recognise the opportunity that he has got.

“I don’t mean that in a bad way. He needs to know that he must strive every day to be better. He’s got everything. He’s rapid, he’s strong and he just turned 21 over Christmas.

“He has everything in the locker. Like Rob, if he wants to, he has got the opportunity to go on and play at the very, very highest level.”