Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Gerrard warns against merging seasons and calls for patience
RANGERS manager Steven Gerrard has warned against “merging seasons” when football resumes af t er the coronavirus outbreak.
Football authorities in Scotland and across the world face difficult decisions over how to close off current campaigns and schedule the subsequent season, with international competitions adding to the complexities.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has called for current placings to be recognised if the Scottish league season cannot be finished.
But at least one other top-flight club will push for the campaign to be declared null and void in that scenario, a move that could lead to major financial complications with broadcasters for example.
Hearts are reported to be considering legal action if they are consigned to relegation with eight games remaining, while other clubs would also hold grievances.
Gerrard believes patience needs to be shown with football playing second fiddle to the health and financial implications of the pandemic.
“Players’ welfare is paramount right now,” he said.
“But I think we have 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 football in a short space of time.
“I think we have to be patient. Football is secondary right now.
“We have to be patient. This i s a virus that i s spreading very, very quickly around the world. I think we have a duty of care first and foremost for our own families and then our own people at Rangers and our supporters, and obviously wider society as well.”