Referee Bobby Madden has hit back at supporters who claimed he was wrong to hold back Alfredo Morelos during an Old Firm flashpoint yesterday.

In the second half of the Ibrox encounter both players came together following a tackle from Shane Duffy on Ryan Kent. 

In the incident Madden was seen to be holding back Morelos from Scott Brown, but the referee has pointed out that this is common practice for whistlers.

READ MORE: Rangers to assess Kemar Roofe injury blow as boss Steven Gerrard hails Old Firm super sub Ianis Hagi

On Instagram he posted a number of pictures of him breaking up on field bust ups and put the caption: "Starting my 11th year in the premier league in the thick of the action during one of world football’s great derbies.

"New entrants courses starting in January - follow link in bio to register."

Rangers moved 19 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with their 1-0 win over 10-man Old Firm rivals Celtic.

It might have been a different story had Gers keeper Allan McGregor not pulled off three world-class saves – including brilliantly finger-tipping Leigh Griffiths’ strike onto the post – as Celtic dominated the first half.

READ MORE: Rangers star Alfredo Morelos in sly dig to Celtic captain Scott Brown after Old Firm victory

But Nir Bitton was sent off just after the hour for hauling down Alfredo Morelos to deny the Rangers striker a run on goal.

And Callum McGregor put through his own goal seven minutes later to hand Rangers maximum points – and an increasingly imposing lead in the title race, even with Celtic having three games in hand.