Jack Butland sees Rangers red card claim against St Mirren rejected as Stephen Robinson jumps to defence of keeper

Stephen Robinson has backed the decision not to send off Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland in the closing stages of St Mirren's 2-1 defeat to the Light Blues in Paisley.

With the Buddies trailing late on, Robinson threw on striker Toyosi Olusanya in a last ditch bid to rescue a point for the hosts. Just minutes after coming on, the 26-year-old charged down fellow Englishman Butland when he came outside of his areas to clear his lines, only to hit the deck after colliding with the stopper.

To Butland and his team's bemusement, referee Nick Walsh awarded St Mirren the free-kick just outside the box and also decided to brandish the former Stoke City and Birmingham man with a yellow card. Buddies boss Robinson admits he had no issues with the call and felt there was no intent to do harm from Butland on forward Olusanya. He said: “I think he came out to play the ball. If there is contact, I think it is accidental. I haven't seen it back but he has came out with no malice whatsoever.

“He was terrific - he kept Rangers in the game with a brilliant save that obviously affected the result. But, no I don't think it should be a red card.”

The Irishman did however concede that he’s sick of taking plaudits but not points from his Old Firm rivals. The St Mirren gaffer has seen his team go up against the big two seven times this season. But it’s been a frustrating watch for the Northern Irishman, whose side have lost out on each occasion.

The aggregate score of those seven clashes is a whopping 18-2 in favour of the Glasgow giants. Robinson, though, has been proud of the way his Euro-chasers have performed - but admits he’s tired of coming away with nothing more than a pat on the back.

Asked how he felt after seeing a Jack Bolton OG and