Rangers starlet, 19, sent off for using homophobic language during crucial play-off match
Chris McKee was handed his marching orders in the first half of the League Two play-off final for survival between loan side Brechin City and Kelty Hearts at Glebe Park
Posted Monday, May 24, 2021 by Dailystar.co.uk
Rangers youngster Chris McKee was sent off for "foul and abusive language of a homophobic nature" during a vital play-off match for loan side Brechin City.
The 19-year-old was shown straight red card by referee Craig Napier 41 minutes into the League Two play-off final between Brechin and Kelty Hearts at Glebe Park.
McKee joined the third tier Scottish side back in March on loan from Rangers, as he looks to force his way into Steven Gerrard's plans.
But his time at Brechin has come to a sorry end, with the former Championship side condemned to the Highland Football League following his controversial sending off in the 1-0 defeat that sealed Brechin's fate.
BRECHIN, SCOTLAND - MAY 23: Brechin's Chris McKee is sent off during a Scottish League Two play-off final second leg between Brechin City and Kelty Hearts at Glebe Park, on May 23, 2021, in Brechin, Scotland
Eyebrows were raised when McKee was shown the red card without being involved in any kind of challenge.
But the BBC later confirmed the teenager was dismissed for "foul and abusive language of a homophobic nature".
The SFA may launch their own probe into the incident, with match official Napier expected to include the details in his post-match report.
Rangers have spoken out about McKee, with a spokesperson for the Premiership winners stating: "Rangers are aware of an incident involving one of our on-loan academy players during a match this afternoon.
"We will investigate this incident thoroughly and it will be treated with the utmost seriousness.
"As a club, we oppose all forms of discrimination. We will handle this incident robustly."
Meanwhile, Brechin manager Michael Paton admitted that the incident must have been serious to warrant a sending off, and that McKee was distraught in the dressing room.
"I haven’t got the chance to speak to him as he is in a state, crying in the dressing room," said Paton. "He can’t even get his words out.
"He is bubbling and he isn’t wanting to talk to anyone so I don’t know what he said.
"But for the referee to show him a straight red card then it must be something clear enough and something that shouldn’t have been said."
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