Peter Grant has blasted Todd Cantwell as a "lucky boy" after footage emerged of the Rangers midfielder shifting a water bag away from Celtic star Reo Hatate on Sunday at Hampden.
The former Norwich man spotted Hatate trying to take a drink and quickly moved the bottles away from his rival.
His Japanese opponent would have the last laugh though, as he ultimately did grab a bottle from the Rangers bag as Borna Barisic received treatment.
Cantwell has since been criticised for the incident with some claiming he lacked sportsmanship and Grant is in agreement.
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, he said: "He's (Cantwell) lucky it wasn't a Scots boy he done it to because Hatate has good manners. I think he'd (Cantwell) have been left on his backside.
"It was a lack of respect and listen, it's okay trying to curry favours with your supporters but you do the things right, you always have that respect on the pitch.
"Hatate was just wanting a drink of water, that's all it was and as I say, he is a lucky lucky boy that it wasn't a few years back!"
Rangers manager Michael Beale has told his squad some players will be fighting for their futures as their “disappointing season” enters the final stages.
The Light Blues were consigned to a campaign without silverware when they lost 1-0 to Celtic at Hampden in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final.
Three consecutive defeats against their city rivals have put the Hoops well on course for the treble and cemented Beale’s desire to revamp his squad in the summer.
“Some are fighting for their futures obviously,” Beale said.
“We have to play the games in front of us. It’s a big weight and responsibility wearing the shirt for Rangers. It’s a huge privilege as well.
“Next week, Ibrox will be an interesting place but the fans will be there because that’s what they do, they support their team and they expect their team to win.
“This one will sting for a few days but the problems are throughout the season. It’s been a disappointing season for a Rangers fan. From the moment we beat PSV, it promised a lot more than it’s given.
“It’s the first season in a couple of years that we haven’t won a trophy or haven’t had a big finale.
“That’s disappointing for me as the manager and everybody associated with the club.
“All we can do is move forward and do better – we need to do better.”
