GERRARD PRAISES CELTIC’S RACISM STAND

THERE was no guard of honour for his recently crowned champions, but Steven Gerrard felt Celtic showed their class in other ways by supporting Rangers’ stand against racism. Celtic captain Scott Brown walked into the Rangers half before yesterday’s Old Firm draw to shake hands with Glen Kamara, who says he was called a ‘f****** monkey’ by Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela on Thursday. The Czech denies racism. In a show of solidarity, Celtic players and staff then followed the lead of Rangers, who had decided to stand rather than take a knee before kick-off. ‘We’ve taken the knee all season to send out a message, but we believe that message is not strong enough,’ said Rangers captain James Tavernier. ‘We believe in standing up to send out a bigger message that we need action on things that are a regular occurrence now.’ The gesture was supported by Gerrard, who added: ‘I thought it was a class touch from both clubs, everyone standing up and showing the support and getting behind it. ‘I think the reaction from Scottish football has been brilliant. I saw other clubs getting involved in the last few days and making it clear they’re not accepting it and are striving to improve things. ‘It’s made me really proud to be part of Scottish football.’ On the pitch, Alfredo Morelos (right) scored his first goal against

Celtic at the 15th time of asking to cancel out Mohamed Elyounoussi’s opener. It meant Rangers are now just five games from completing an unbeaten season in the league — as Brendan Rodgers achieved with Celtic in 2016-17 — but Gerrard insisted that was not his priority. ‘We know people are talking about it on the outside,’ said the Rangers boss. ‘On the inside it is all about the next game. It is a sideshow really. ‘The priority now is the Scottish Cup. We want to try to do a double, but it is also an opportunity for us to try certain players and try different things, give people game time.’