Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson said referees keep getting duped by the same players after Carl McHugh saw red at Ibrox.

With the scores at 1-1, the Steelmen were reduced to ten men when McHugh picked up quickfire bookings.

First, the defender was adjudged to have fouled Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos, before he gave away a penalty which James Tavernier converted.

Robinson refused to use the sending-off as an excuse for the 7-1 thumping.

But the Northern Irishman hit out at Morelos for his part in McHugh's first caution.

"We looked like we had an excuse in the bag," he said. "The decision changes a big aspect of the game but the manner of the defeat was really disappointing.

"It was woeful defending and people need to look long and hard at themselves.

"I thought it was a penalty and the letter of the law suggests that he needs to be sent off.

"The first booking is a disgrace, it's embarrassing. And I have to say, referees are getting conned by the same people continually.

"Certain players get away with certain things every week. They (referees) have a hard task.

"If you are getting fooled every week all the time then it's difficult for them. It wasn't a free-kick in the first place, it certainly wasn't a yellow card."

Robinson was sent to the stands after appearing to react angrily to Rangers technical coach Tom Culshaw.

"Listen, members of their staff came up to voice their opinion," he said. "I was the only one sent to the stand.

"A young boy, out of his depth as a fourth official (Craig Napier), obviously can't deal with that. I don't think it was a major incident."