Ex-Celtic boss Gordon Strachan reckons Rangers star Jordan Jones' horror challenge on Moritz Bauer was to appease the fans as his side trailed 2-0 at Ibrox.

Jones flattened Austrian Bauer and was shown a straight red card in injury time.

The winger scythed down Celtic's new signing as frustration boiled over.

But Strachan believes Jones, 24, made the rash challenge on the Celtic star to get fans back onside as Gers headed for defeat.

Rangers star Jordan Jones leaves Ibrox on crutches after he's sent-off for horror tackle vs Celtic

And the former manager insists the Northern Irishman will have to make it up to his teammates by playing a blinder the next time the two sides meet in December. 

Speaking in his role as Paddy Power ambassador, Strachan said: "You tell the players, even if you lose a goal, you don’t lose your focus. 

"I said the same before my first Old Firm Derby, then Alan Thompson got sent off within 30 minutes – well done, Alan.

"In his next match, Thommo got us off the hook, scoring two wonderful goals, and that’s the kind of thing Jordan Jones is going to have to do to make it up to his manager.

"As Steven said, the boy was playing up to the fans. It’s hard to deal with, if you’re a Rangers player – before the game you’re thinking ‘this is it, we’re favourites, playing at home, Celtic have lost half their defence, this could be the turning point for us as a club’.

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"Then, of course, when it gets to 2-0, it’s the same all over again, the fans are calling for blood, so he takes someone out.

"That wasn’t for the club or his teammates, that wasn’t to move them forward, that was purely for the fans.

"It’s something players have to learn. 

"I’ve seen it so many times before with players new to the Old Firm, they think it’s the thing to do to endear themselves to the fans, but it’s probably the worst thing they can do for their club."

Gordon Strachan was speaking exclusively to Paddy Power News. To read more, visit news.paddypower.com