STEVEN GERRARD reckons Rangers have an ongoing issue with referees in Scotland after a controversial first Premiership match in charge against Aberdeen.

The 38-year-old was denied victory at Pittodrie as Bruce Anderson cancelled out James Tavernier’s penalty with just seconds to spare.

Rangers will consider whether to appeal the red card shown to Alfredo Morelos for an off the ball incident involving Dons defender Scott McKenna.

But Gerrard was also unhappy with Kevin Clancy’s decision not to punish Dominic Ball for a foul on Josh Windass as he pointed to the spot in the first half.

He said: “We need to try and use it to our advantage.

“It’s not just today, it’s been happening for a while. It’s been happening for a good while.

“I believe it’s been happening for seasons. That’s my opinion, just my opinion.

“I’ve watched footage, yeah. Look, I don’t think we ever get anything to go for us.

“Everything we have seen today is about Rangers. So someone should give me answers on that.

“Someone should give me the answers because if there’s anyone in his room thinks nothing should have happened after that penalty...

“It is what is. I can’t control if the issue is going to be ongoing. All I can do is give my opinion on it.”

The decision to send Morelos off for a flick out at McKenna bemused the Colombian and angered the travelling Gers fans.

And Gerrard reckons it was harsh to show the striker a red card just 12 minutes into the opening Premiership clash of the campaign.

He said: “I think when you do stuff like that, when you react like that, you leave officials with decisions to make.

“So we will speak to him about the part he has played in it. But we feel hard done by because we felt he was provoked twice with violent barges.

“No way in the world was his kick out violent. So we didn’t think he deserved a red.

“At the same time, with the penalty there was no attempt to play the ball. So it’s beyond me how a card can’t be shown for that situation.

“It seems like the world is against us today. But we’ll make sure we get better for that.

“We’ll make sure we play better and try and put results to bed, because it looks like some more decisions will go against us as the season goes on.”

Rangers produced a battling performance as they came within seconds of a hard-fought win at Pittodrie.

And Gerrard reckons his players proved a point with an impressive showing against Derek McInnes’ side.

He said: “Disappointment for my players. But I don’t go away from here sad.

“I actually loved what I saw. I think people are now starting to understand when I say Rangers are different now.

“We are a different team and the players are proving it.

“I go away reasonably pleased, but gutted for my players we never got over the line. It would have been a huge three points.

“Listen I enjoyed it. The excitement this morning was really good. That’s the reason I’ve come into management.

“We said to the players before the game, ‘when you come to places like this put your shoulders back and enjoy it.’

“You are coming to play a huge fixture in the SPFL. Go and enjoy yourselves.

“Believe in yourselves and back yourselves you are a better team than Aberdeen and we proved that.”