STEVEN GERRARD was full of praise for an ‘outstanding’ Rangers performance as he told Livingston counterpart Gary Holt to get his facts right in the ongoing row over refereeing in Scottish football.

The Ibrox boss saw his side record an impressive Premiership win that keeps them level on points with Celtic in the title race as Joe Aribo and Alfredo Morelos netted at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Aribo opened the scoring with a terrific finish after a neat attacking move before Morelos hit his 22nd goal of the campaign just after the break.

Gerrard said: “In this block of fixture since the last international break, outside of the first 15 minutes v Hearts, the boys have been tremendous.

“Today was outstanding from start to finish. I thought we totally dominated and controlled the game. I think you saw a different side to us today; we were tough all over the pitch and at the right times we played some quality stuff. So I am very pleased.

“I thought his (Morelos) moment had gone. I know he bullied the defender and showed his strength, but I just thought the moment had gone.

"Only him and maybe JD (Jermain Defoe) could dig it out from there and find the bottom corner. It was a great finish and it gave us the luxury of some breathing space.”

The build-up to the Livi clash had been dominated by talk of the approach of Holt’s side following a controversial fixture here earlier in the campaign.

Aribo required 20 stitches in a nasty head wound following a challenge from Ricki Lamie during the Gers’ Betfred Cup win and Gerrard called for greater protection from the match officials ahead of the second trip this term.

Holt took exception to those comments before the game but Gerrard didn’t want to escalate a war of words post-match.

Gerrard said: “He is entitled to his own opinion and whatever he wants to say. But I think he needs to read or look at my press conference properly; not once did I say Lamie elbowed my player, I said he led with his forearm.

“All I asked for in the press conference is protection for all players across the league and across the board and I said we had to stand up to the physical challenge of Livingston, and that is what we did today. And we did it ever so well.

“I have no problem with Gary’s comments. But if and when he watches the press conference, he got a few things widely wrong.”