Lee McCulloch backs Rangers red card appeal and reveals why Jose Cifuentes is in mix to land Hampden pardon

Jose Cifuentes has been told Rangers' appeal over his red card has merit as doubt is cast over Kevin Clancy's call.

The midfielder was sent off in a dramatic first half against Dundee on Saturday, which Philippe Clement's side won 3-1. Cifuentes arrived late into a tackle with Amadou Bakayoko and deemed the midfielder's collision with the striker enough to warrant a red, after consulting VAR for a second opinion following the initial decision to dish out a yellow card.

Former Ibrox defender Lee McCulloch has backed the decision from his ex-club to appeal the verdict. If the red stands, it will rule the summer signing from LAFC out of Sunday's huge Viaplay Cup final with Aberdeen and leave John Lundstram as the only fit central midfielder. McCulloch doesn't think there was enough venom behind the action with Clancy deciding it was worthy of marching orders. He told Sky Sports: "I do understand why.

"It's not an area of the pitch they have a lot of people fit. They're struggling in there at the moment so it makes sense to appeal the card to try and make him available. I do think there is grounds there for the appeal and obviously so did Rangers as they have went ahead with it. I didn't see any malice in the challenge. I think he has caught up but there is no intent.

"Whether it is serious, dangerous play, whatever they call it, that will be up for the panel to decide. But I definitely think there is grounds there."