‘ABUSE RUINING SCOTTISH GAME’

STEVEN GERRARD says sectarianism is “tarnishing” Scottish football.

Former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers (above) called for “zero tolerance” on the issue after receiving abuse last month. He also warned it could discourage leading managers from taking jobs north of the border.

Rangers boss Gerrard said: “In a role like this, you always have to be careful about what you do and say.

“I have a responsibility to try and educate. If that means sometimes educating your supporters or other supporters following Scottish football, then that means you have to come out and say what you believe in.

“I think, at the moment, it’s tarnishing the league. So far, there have been some great games, good rivalries in management and players.

“But people are currently talking about things off the

Gerrard: All you can do is try to support the people getting that abuse

pitch and that’s disappointing.”

Sectarian abuse has also recently been directed at Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke and the Rugby Park club’s striker Kris Boyd.

Gerrard added: “I can’t control whether that’s going to happen to me.

“I have had certain levels of abuse off the terraces as I have gone along, but I have just tried to focus – whether as a player or a manager.

“But all you can do is support the people who are getting that abuse, as it’s not nice to see. Whether it is players, managers, officials or supporters.”