SPITTING MAD

Gerrard fury as Ibrox outcast Grezda faces Rangers probe

EROS GREZDA looks to have pulled on a Rangers jersey for the last time after being accused of spitting on an opponent during a Colts match against Ballymena United. Steven Gerrard had previously told the out-of-favour winger to find another club. But the Ibrox manager wanted to show the player ‘respect’ by allowing him game time with the Colts to maximise his fitness levels ahead of a potential move. Now, however, Gerrard says the £2million Albanian international will not represent the club again at any level if an internal investigation confirms this week’s alleged incident took place. Grezda, 24 (below), squared up to Ballymena skipper Jim Ervin in a bad-tempered Challenge Cup clash in Northern Ireland after being accused of spitting on defender Andrew Burns. Asked if he was likely to discipline Grezda, who signed a four-year-deal when he arrived from Croatian side Osijek in August 2018, Gerrard said: ‘Yes. Grezda has been told face-to-face what his situation is. He’s been advised to find a different challenge for himself. His representation is aware of that. ‘There are still a few markets and transfer windows open around the world that might suit him, so we were trying to be respectful and give him game time to keep his fitness up in case there’s a move. ‘But if you behave in that manner then you won’t represent this club at any level. No one behaves like that and wears the Rangers shirt. ‘There will be a disciplinary situation. I need to sit down and speak face-to-face and get the player’s version of events. ‘But I’ve had some witness versions of it, so I’m aware of what’s gone on. ‘We will deal with it internally but it’s something that I’m not happy with at all. ‘There is no place for it on a football pitch, if he’s guilty of it.’ While Grezda’s Ibrox career is seemingly over, former Osijek team-mate Borna Barisic breathed fresh life into his prospects with a fine performance in Thursday’s 1-0 win over Feyenoord in the Europa League. The Croatia international left-back was also signed for £2m last summer but fell behind Jon Flanagan and Andy Halliday in the Ibrox pecking order and looked to be on his way out of the club. But Gerrard has backed Barisic to win over his doubters and make the position his own. ‘I think that was probably Borna’s strongest performance in a Rangers shirt,’ he said. ‘I know there are a lot of opinions towards Borna but if he can find that level of performance on a consistent basis, then I think he can win those people over. ‘He has certainly got my respect. As a staff, we have got a lot of confidence and belief in him and Croatia do as well. He seems to be the No 1 left back for their national team. ‘Now Borna needs to try and build on his performance against Feyenoord. ‘I believe in him and I think he can have a big part to play if he continues to produce that kind of performance.’