Michael Beale has hit back at Rangers legend Neil McCann after he branded Alfredo Morelos an "idiot" for his celebrations against Hearts.
The Colombian netted a double during the Scottish Premiership showdown at Tynecastle before wheeling away and celebrating in front of the Hearts fans after a lengthy VAR check for his second goal. He deployed his trademark celebration as he put his finger to his lips after after a knee slide to silence the home support . But Ibrox favourite McCann was less than impressed with the pantomime villain in Gorgie and launched a heated rant about the striker.
He proclaimed "the boy's an idiot' as Morelos waited to see if his second goal of the evening would be given the green light by VAR - and it's left Beale less than impressed. Speaking ahead of the clash with Ross County, Beale was asked about McCann's jibe: "I wouldn't agree with that.
"I think the Hearts supporters were trying to incite Alfredo for the whole 90 plus minutes. I think if we are going to say players can't celebrate goals now we might as well stop the game.
"I think there was a long stoppage for that goal and I think he was, what? 20 plus yards from them? I think a lot is made of them sort of things in Scotland that is not made elsewhere. I have worked down south and I've never known this to be a big thing. When we score our second goal and our first goal we are two yards from our fans. What do you want us to do, not celebrate?
"Then people say he is moody and he wants away because he doesn't celebrate. I think Neil is on the radio and is passionate, he played for both clubs and is trying to impartial. He has said what he has said but I think he will regret that more than Alfredo (will for) celebrating."
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