CUP’S OUR PRIORITY
last-16 Scottish Cup tie after a stroll against Cove Rangers just hours after learning the Hoops lay in wait in the next round.
It hands Gers the chance to inflict a final blow on a catastrophic season for their arch-rivals by ensuring they finish empty-handed for the first time in 11 years.
The tie will be played on the weekend of April 17/18 and Celtic could have a new boss in place as they close in on Eddie Howe, who could be appointed this week.
Gerrard is desperate to put a poor domestic cup record behind him and add to this season’s Premiership title.
The Gers boss said of his potential rival: “Whoever they decide to choose, when that happens, I will look forward to the challenge and the battle and moving forward.
“There has been a lot of speculation and a lot of names bandied around over the last couple of weeks and months.
“I’m aware of it but I haven’t really taken much notice of it.
“From my point of view, it’s obviously important I keep doing my job here.
“This cup has become a priority now with the league done and dusted.
“We still want to see the league out as strong as we can and it’s my job to make sure the players don’t start becoming complacent or thinking they can drop their standards.
“But this cup has become the priority now. We are happy with the home draw and obviously it being Celtic now makes it even more interesting.
“It will be a tough game, a tough challenge but one we’re very much looking forward to.
“It’s a fantastic game for us all to look forward to.
“I’m sure Celtic will be desperate to finish the season on a high. Two good teams that will go for it but we’ll be ready when that comes round.”
Nathan Patterson netted the fourth goal against
Cove and was impressive along with fellow full-back Calvin Bassey but Gerrard now faces an anxious wait to find out if they, along with Bongani Zungu, will be available for the Old Firm clash.
They were hit with sixmatch Covid bans along with Dapo Mebude and Brian Kinnear, both out on loan, and Gerrard slammed the harsh punishment.
He insisted comparisons with Jordan Jones and George Edmumdson, who received seven-match bans for breaking Covid rules, are unfair.
He said: “We are in talks with the SFA over a date for the appeal. The reason for the appeal is the obvious reason. We think it’s harsh in terms of what went on that night.
“Everyone assumes because of what happened with Jordan Jones and George Edmundson that everything is the same, which isn’t the case.
“We think it’s a little bit out of sync in terms of what went on.
“We don’t think that everything has been taken into consideration when you are talking about the boys in terms of age and how damaging it could be for them in their careers.
“You are talking about one of the brightest prospects ever in terms of right-back. This kid is going to go and play for Scotland and all of a sudden the SFA want to ban him for that long.
“I know Steve Clarke rates him. We’ve had a discussion over Nathan.
“You can see there is a talent and a potential there. It’s only a matter of time before he becomes an international player.”
FULL SCOTTISH CUP 4TH & 5TH RD DRAW