WHAT ABOUT DUBAI JOHN?
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answers from Hampden beaks after charges against Nathan Paterson and fellow Ibrox rule breakers took nearly two months to be dished out and an appeal will now be held after next Saturday’s Scottish Cup showdown.
Record Sport
understands the SFA gave Rangers time to conduct their own investigation into the illegal party but it took more than three weeks for the Ibrox club to conclude their findings.
Paterson has been involved in six domestic games since the incident and will be free to face the Hoops, with Calvin Bassey and Bongani Zungu.
Gerrard blasted back yesterday at Kennedy after the Celtic interim boss had called for consistency, with Hoops left-back Boli Bolingoli having been banned for breaches at the start of the season.
Gerrard said: “I’m not frustrated over John’s comments, he is obviously well within his rights to have his own opinions.
“Nothing has really come of the Dubai trip, the only thing that has really come of it is that no-one else is allowed to go on a training camp.
“We move on from that incident but rules were broken on that trip in terms of drinking together with no social distancing.
“We don’t control when the hearings come. I agree with John in terms of the inconsistencies from the SFA because we have been speaking about that for some time now.
“When you are talking about punishment, Bolingoli left the country of his own will and then came back and trained amongst his peers and then went and played at Kilmarnock and put other people’s health in jeopardy.
“He was given a fivegame ban and three were suspended, and the Aberdeen guys were given three games and they were all suspended.
“There were obviously positive Covid tests on the back of that. We want all our players fit and available. We’ve had news of when the hearing is, which means the Covid lads will be available for the next couple.
“Of course that’s a boost, we didn’t expect that, but those decisions are out of our control.
“The SFA have given us a date and we have accepted it, so we will deal with that when it comes.
“I would probably be frustrated as well if good players were available to play against his team next week so I feel his pain.
“But I am the only one who knows the details about our own Covid situations and a few things I said got taken out of context in terms of Nathan Patterson’s quotes.
“These guys have broken rules, they deserve punishment, but we feel as if not everything has been taken into consideration.
“We are not trying to defend what they have done. It just seems as if the SFA are guessing in terms of punishments and everything is inconsistent.”
Celts are unhappy as Hampden chiefs hit them with punishment for Bolingoli’s breach within four days.
A Celtic spokesman said: “There have been a number of calls for ‘consistency’ this season – we couldn’t agree more.
“The SFA has dealt with other cases swiftly and only they can explain the timing in this case.”
Rangers captain James Tavernier could feature in next Saturday’s Old Firm Scottish Cup clash.
“Gerrard said: “James has an outside chance of being involved.“