GERS BOSS: BEATON OWES ME APOLOGY
that yellow card to be overturned. Gerrard though accepted his ban as he opted against an appeal that would have been heard on March 25 – four days after the trip to the east end of Glasgow – and would also have freed him up for the Old Firm derby.
But the Gers boss was still raging at Beaton and revealed sporting director Ross Wilson has taken the matter up with SFA referees’ chief Crawford Allan.
Gerrard said on the club website: “After the game, I immediately apologised for my part in the incident at half-time in our game v Livingston.
“I reiterate that apology and accept a one-game suspension. As a club, we were extremely disappointed in the attitude displayed by the referee.
“We expect to have the ability for managers and officials to have discussion but frustratingly, the referee was not forthcoming. This has also been noted by other managers in recent weeks.
“After my apology post-match, I expected the referee to call to apologise for his part in the incident but I didn’t hear from him. Ross Wilson had a long, frank and honest discussion with Crawford Allan today. Be in no doubt our concerns have been made very clear and we are pleased that they were received openly by Crawford.”
Gerrard will now be in the stand for the visit of the Buddies where victory would put all but see them crowned champions – and it could be official without kicking a ball tomorrow if Celtic slip up at Tannadice.
But the Gers boss doesn’t care how they clinch it and admits he is helpless in stopping wild street celebrations when the historic moment arrives.
Gerrard knows some punters would prefer the mouthwatering scenario of travelling to Parkhead in the following league game on March 21 with the chance to seal the deal at the home of their fiercest rivals.
But he’ll take the title win whatever way it comes and admits he can feel the sense of excitement building among long-suffering supporters after a decade of major trophyless pain.
Fans let off fireworks during the 55th minute – the much-coveted title number they are closing in on – of the midweek win over Livingston.
And police are on alert over fears supporters will break Covid lockdown rules when the title is in the bag – with a win over the Buddies today all but securing it thanks to a vastly superior goal difference over Celtic.
Supporters of Gerrard’s former club Liverpool were criticised last season after thousands flooded the city centre to celebrate their first English title in 30 years. But Gerrard knows the importance of this league flag and wants his players to wrap it up quick style.
The Ibrox boss said: “I totally respect that some fans might want to win it this way or that way – but I don’t think anyone will be actually complaining when we get this over the line.
“The important thing is to get that trophy back, get 55, knock all the 54s off the walls – that’s the main thing for me, adding to the wonderful history of this club.
“If it happens on Sunday in April or in May, I don’t care so long as it happens. For me the important thing is get three points. It’s obviously then 99.99 per cent done.
“Fans are entitled to think what they want. People will want it to happen for their own satisfaction. For me it’s about becoming champions as quick as we can in any way we can do that.
“It’s out of your control. The important thing as a group is to just keeping winning football matches and it will happen when it happens. The fans are the priority here and we totally understand and we can certainly relate to how they’re feeling at the moment.
“We know there’s a real excitement and rightly so. We want them to really enjoy this time and really revel in the moment.
“We all have to continue to abide by the government rules and respect social distancing but it’s out of my control and you have to leave it to the security experts and people higher up the club than me to deal with these situations.
“My job is to focus on the game and try to get three points. People have to understand the situation our fans are in and what they’ve been through and the priority is they stay safe.
“The fireworks display [on Wednesday] was impressive for sure and I got a bit of a fright. It went on for some time and some of my players were dodging them when they landed them on the pitch. So we’d say try to keep them away from the pitch so we can focus on the job we’re trying to do.”
Smiling Gerrard was tight-lipped on how he plans to celebrate if they become champions tomorrow. He said: “I’ve never told you any of my plans before and I don’t intend to tell you my plans moving forward.”
Rangers have to make sure they defeat the Buddies, the only team to have beaten them this season in the Betfred Cup, to maintain a perfect Ibrox record and stay on course for an invincible title.
Gerrard added: “We’ve got an opportunity to make this 99.9 per cent done and that’s what we want to do.”
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