HAMMER THE PORTO TOSSERS
RANGERS
FROM BACK PAGE his shaken stars told him they’d been pelted by coins and lighters after Alfredo Morelos’s stunning equaliser in the Europa League draw in Portugal on Thursday.
Defender Connor Goldson revealed he was targeted along with Morelos and Ibrox chiefs are hoping the football authorities act swiftly and strictly to prevent player safety being jeopardised.
And Gerrard will advise his men to be on their guard on their travels – with next month’s trip to Holland already identified as a potential flashpoint for Dutch hooligans.
The Gers boss said: “The rules are you’re allowed to celebrate within the lines of the pitch, so the players haven’t done anything wrong but we maybe have to mention that just to not incite anything or have fingers pointed at us.
“It is more from a safety point of view. We have to say to the players to be careful where they are going to celebrate because unfortunately it is not the first time we have spoken about missiles coming on to the pitch.
“I used to be a cornerkick taker so I have had a few coins bounce off me and a few derogatory comments come my way.
“It is the game but I do think it’s moved forward. I don’t think it is as bad as it used to be but it could certainly be tidied up.”
Rangers have been hit with UEFA sanctions for sectarian singing this season and the club have taken their punishments and vowed to clean up their act.
But they hope the beaks take just as dim a view on putting players in danger.
Gerrard will warn his troops about celebrating in front of rival fans – but insisted he shouldn’t have to.
He said: “There is no justification for it. That is why there should be punishments and repercussions for it.
“Connor said he showed the coins and the lighter to the referee but he didn’t want to do anything about it and that’s disappointing.
“That is what UEFA need to look at it. The referee has a responsibility to protect the players so I will be very interested to see if that is in the report.
“The fans are guilty of it. Connor is not going to make this up. He is not going to talk to the media and say he was hit by coins and a lighter and showed it to the referee if it didn’t happen.
Gerrard hailed his stars for finishing the job and securing a priceless point despite the threat from Porto on the pitch and their fans in the stands.
He said: “They did the right thing which is to report it to the referee. That is the protocol. They made him aware of it and it didn’t affect the performance for sure.
“The performance was faultless apart from one error but it’s not every week someone sticks one in your top corner from 30 yards.
“It was a world-class finish. I always look at why but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say that it was a special finish and it was.”
Gerrard wants his side to maintain momentum against Motherwell – but admits he may need to rest up some weary warriors.
He said: “Ryan Kent and Ryan Jack have only just come back and played slightly longer than expected. We’ll have to see how they recover and make late decisions on them.”