Dan Casey rejects Rangers accusations over Ross McCausland tackle as James Tavernier asks the big question

Dan Casey insisted he did not set out to crock Rangers kid Ross McCausland.

But Ibrox skipper James Tavernier has accused the Motherwell match-winner of endangering his team-mate’s safety with Saturday’s ferocious challenge at Ibrox. It was a painful day for Gers in more ways than one as they fell to their first top-flight home defeat against the Steelmen in 27 years.

But Rangers boss Philippe Clement was left furious with the treatment meted out to McCausland, claiming the youngster - who is now a major doubt for Thursday's Europa League clash against Benfica after hobbling out of the ground on crutches - had been "kicked off the pitch". Casey - who later scored Well’s winner - escaped without even a booking after the incident was reviewed by VAR. Clement responded to the incident by demanding his players receive greater protection from referees. But Casey has now defended himself after a run-in with the Belgian’s back-room team.

The Irishman said: “One of the Rangers coaching staff said something to me after the game about it. I didn’t really listen or hear what they said, but I think it was something about what happened (with the tackle). But I only went in to win the ball. I never went in to hurt anyone. I’m not that type of person.

“If you see it back, you can see I won the ball. I would never, ever try to hurt anybody. As a person, that’s not what I’m about. I only had eyes for the ball. I play hard and I go in hard, that’s just how I am.”

McCausland had to be replaced by Fabio Silva after limping off the pitch following Casey’s tackle. And his captain believes the challenge was reckless and should have been punished.

Tavernier said: “Obviously he’s won the ball, but it’s the velocity of the challenge, and then