STEVEN Gerrard admitted he's at the end of his tether with Alfredo Morelo after the Rangers striker was sent off in shame at Celtic Park.

The Colombian's red card for elbowing Celtic captain Scott Brown was his fifth of the season - a new record for European football.

Rangers played well after going down to ten men but ended up losing and dropping more points; something which has happened too often when Morelos has been sent off or suspended.

Asked if he could defend his player. Gerrard said: "No. I’ve gone above and beyond for Alfredo. I’ll continue to protect him, support him and love him, because of the player and the person he is.

“But I’ve got to draw a line. He’ll be punished. I’ll recommend to the board he’s fined a week’s wages –and that the money should got to the supporters who came today.

“They are the ones who’ll suffer from his lack of discipline, along with his teammates.

“The money is no use to the players. It’s more use to the supporters, so that’s what I’ll recommend.

“Will he get the message? That’s a question you’ll have to ask the player himself. I’m sitting here hoping and wishing and waiting.

“I can honestly say, hand on heart, I have done everything, as have his teammates and my support staff.

“At the same time there’s been other ill-discipline through the team that has hurt us this season.

“So the rules will be changed moving forward. I’ll deal with that."

Gerrard, however, did defend Andy Halliday who was sent off after the final whistle for angrily confronting Brown who was celebrating in front of the small contingent of Rangers supporters.

The Rangers manager said: "It’s frustrating it’s a game we’ve gone down to 10 men again. The Halliday situation didn’t affect us in the game, but it will the future.

“But I feel for Andy. Celtic are well within their rights to celebrate. They’ve won the game and they’ve stretched their lead.

“We celebrated when we won the last Old Firm game, so you are well within your rights.

“But I cant’ understand why a guy then decides to celebrate 10 yards away from the two percent of Rangers fans when they’re 98 percent home support.

“Andy went in to protect his own people – I would have probably done that myself."