Gerrard says sport has to take back seat with world at risk but insists there should be no merging of season and no games behind closed doors
STEVEN GERRARD has broken his silence on the coronavirus crisis.
Just two days ago the Rangers boss was meant to be slap bang in the middle of an Old Firm battle. But that derby clash was postponed as the game in this country and around the world was placed on lockdown indefinitely.
Gone then was the chance to cut the 13-point gap on Neil Lennon’s side. And it may yet stay gone. Right now there are more questions than answers.
UEFA will today meet to make a plan for the Champions League, Europa League and Euro 2020. Back here in Scotland and so much is up in the air too.
Gerrard doesn’t know what should happen next but he revealed what he thinks shouldn’t happen.
For one he is against merging seasons. He also believes playing matches behind closed doors is a bad idea.
The Scouser though is stuck in a classic quandary. Declaring the season null and void would rob Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool of the crown down south but awarding titles across Europe confirms Celtic as champions for the ninth successive time.
For Gerrard there are more pressing and important matters at hand.
The Anfield favourite said: “It’s having a huge impact on football, games getting cancelled and leagues being put on hold around the world.
“But it’s very much a time where football has to become
BY GABRIEL McKAY secondary. People’s lives are at risk, people’s businesses.
“There are many more important things than football right now.”
There are three options available for football’s powerbreakers. Declare the current standings as final, rule the season null and void and somehow try to finish the season.
Gerrard isn’t ready just yet to play SPFL chief executive. For now he will just leave Neil Doncaster to carry out that role.
The 39-year-old said: “I’m in regular contact with the board and the club on a daily basis to see what happens but I think we’ve got to try to trust the authorities to try to find the right solutions.
“I’m not one who thinks we should be merging seasons and this type of stuff because that has different types of problems for the players, playing too much in such a short space of time.
“All the players feel the same way. I don’t think the right thing to do is play all the games behind closed doors. I don’t think that’s fair at all.
“So we have to wait, we’ll have to be patient, and let’s hope that at some point there is a solution found but I certainly don’t have the answers. I’m sure the fans are missing the football just like everyone else but health and welfare is vital right now.
“So they need to look after themselves and take whatever precautionary measures they need to take care of themselves and their families.”
So what can Gerrard and his coaching staff do in the midst of a pandemic?
He added: “We have to do everything we can at the training ground and at the club to protect the players so they don’t contract the virus because then it has a lot more complications.
“Of course it’s having a huge impact. Not just for us at Rangers but every club around the world.
“But for me it’s very much a time where we all have to stick together, think about our own families first and foremost and certainly put football second.
“We have to be patient, this is a virus that’s spreading very, very quickly around the world.
“We’ve got a duty of care first and foremost to our families and our own people at Rangers and our supporters.
“Then obviously wider society as well. So I think it’s very much just do everything you can to take precautionary measures to help in the virus not spreading any quicker than it already is.
“But it’s certainly a very concerning time. Player welfare is paramount, we’re doing everything we can from a medical point of view to put all the right precautions in place.
“We’ve all just got to be patient.”
‘I bet a horse at Cheltenham that was 18 to 20 lengths clear coming to the last and fell. Who’s to say Celtic can’t do the same?
against Celtic that could pull the deficit to four points with six games still to be played by both teams. Mathematically Rangers could win the league with points to spare.”
said: “Neil Lennon is saying Celtic should be awarded the title if the season can’t finish because they are ahead and we’re two thirds of the way through the season.
“Does that mean if a match is an hour old and gets abandoned the team in the lead gets awarded the points. I don’t think so.”
said: “I bet a horse at Cheltenham on Friday that was 18 to 20 lengths clear approaching the last and fell. Who’s to say Celtic can’t do the same.
“Lennon’s own chairman told everyone in 2008 when Rangers were forced to play four games in eight days the rules couldn’t be changed during the season. Now Celtic have a chance to benefit they’re willing to look at a rule change.”
said: “Is this season to be cancelled altogether or suspended until its resumption? The latter is preferable as it will allow the season to reach its natural conclusion.”
said: “This hiatus might suit Rangers as they were heading for four defeats in five. Now they have some breathing space and time for Alfredo Morelos to shed two stone, the Dubai effect might emerge in reverse and provide some polarity for Rangers in the final third of the season.”
said: “Scottish games should be played. We need to fast-track the virus testing process for the players and staff to let them.
“Play behind closed doors and get games played. That’s surely better than season abandonment or calling it as it is now.”
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