YOUR PITCH IS A HAZARD
Tav blames plastic for Murphy’s crock hell as Gerrard says there’s no place for it at elite level
BY MICHAEL GANNON JAMES TAVERNIER blamed Kilmarnock’s plastic pitch for Jamie Murphy’s injury hell as Rangers boss Steven Gerrard called for them to be outlawed in the Premiership.
The Ibrox club fear the winger is facing several months out after twisting his knee in yesterday’s 3-1 Betfred Cup win at Rugby Park. Skipper Tavernier is furious
the surface has claimed another team-mate after ex-Ger Martyn Waghorn was crocked on the Ayrshire astroturf two seasons ago.
Tavernier said: “I guarantee you that Murphy wouldn’t have the injury if it had been a grass pitch. He planted his foot, got a wee nudge and then just felt something go.
“If that’s on grass that’s not going to happen. That is twice now I have been to this stadium when a player has suffered a bad injury.
“First it was Waggy and now it is Murphy. These astroturf pitches are a hazard and are always going to cause injuries to any professional.”
Gers boss Gerrard was reluctant to put the boot into Killie – but insists plastic pitches have no place at the top level of the game.
He said: “My opinion is we’re dealing with elite footballers who earn a lot of money and for every club worldwide it’s safer to have a grass pitch.
“Other people might have a different opinion but I think if you ask any manager they’d all prefer grass and I do.
“It’s difficult for me to comment, we all know that plastic pitches they are not as safe as grass, that’s a fact.
“But I’m not here to disrespect Kilmarnock and their playing facilities. I know that it’s a big help to Kilmarnock having a plastic pitch and it supports the running of their football club.
“But my opinion is elite football shouldn’t have any plastic pitches.”
Gerrard revealed Murphy was gutted at the crock agony that has left his season in the balance.
He said: “If you ask Jamie right now he’ll say it was a pitch incident.
“I don’t think it’s the first time Rangers have had that type of injury here, I think Waghorn suffered a couple of years back.
“I don’t want to dive in too quick, we’ll wait and see what the examinations say but we’re all fearing the worst.
“Jamie’s sad and upset, We’re devastated. That’s the only downer for us.
“We’re going away on the back of a fantastic victory at a difficult place but it has come at a cost. Jamie looks like he’ll be missing for quite a while.”
The Murphy blow put a dampener on Rangers’ impressive win that set up a quarter-final clash with Ayr at Ibrox.
In-demand Alfredo Morelos struck a hat-trick – and had another strike wrongly ruled out despite crossing the line.
Gerrard – who last week knocked back a £3.75million bid from Bordeaux for the hitman – said: “He’s so important for us. He’s our talisman and top goalscorer.
“I love working with him and want to keep him. He deserves a new deal.
“I’m pleased to progress after such a tough fixture. Steve Clarke organises his teams well.
“I have a lot of respect for him and I knew he wanted to beat us.
“We faced everything thrown at us and answered the questions well.”
Gerrard is hopeful of strengthening before the end of the transfer window – but remained tight-lipped on the move for Hearts’ Kyle Lafferty.
He said: “He is not my player at the moment. He is a great player – I like him a lot.”