Craig Levein claims Alfredo Morelos "made a note" of Mark Connolly before clashing with the Dundee United star.
The Rangers star was booked after he struck the defender in the face with his arm during the Ibrox side's 2-1 victory at Tannadice on Sunday.
Morelos is set to discover by Tuesday afternoon whether he faces further SFA disciplinary action over the incident.
Levein says he noticed Connolly "left a couple" on the Colombian before the flashpoint in question.
He reckons Morelos was then eager to "equal the score" with his opponent.
Levein told BBC Sportsound: "What I thought was interesting, right from the start of the match, Connolly had left a couple on Morelos.
"After one of them, in particular, I actually saw him (Morelos) take a wee note of who it was had challenged him.
"If you want to upset Morelos, it's not that difficult.
"All you need to do is, early in the match, leave something on him. He seems to bear grudges and want to equal the score as quickly as possible.
"That happened just before he threw a forearm.
"I do (think it was a red card offence)."
