Gerrard in blast at yobs
board we don’t want to see that type of behaviour from the supporters.
“With all due respect, it is Jack Ross and Hibs’ problem this time.
“It is disappointing to see, though, when all we ask for is the safety of the players and everyone that comes to the stadium.
“It is going to take someone to get extremely hurt before it stops I think.”
Despite chief executive Dempster’s vows to act, Gerrard revealed he issued a red alert for his stars to stay disciplined in what has become a powderkeg clash.
He said: “Because of what happened here last year we spoke about showing discipline. I am pleased and proud of how they handled themselves. Not just in football terms but also when there are lighters and bottles going over your head, which is a very dangerous situation. I was really pleased that my players kept their cool.”
Asked if playing the game on a Friday night increased the potential for trouble, Gerrard said: “I don’t know. It’s for the TV to decide. We don’t have a say on that, we just come and do our job.
“It would be a disservice to my players if people only focus on the behaviour of the Hibs fans when there was so much quality on the pitch from us.”
After March’s incidents, Tavernier’s assailant was jailed for 100 days but the yob who threw a bottle at Sinclair was not caught.
MailSport understands Hibs are confident they’ll catch offenders as a new state- of- the- art CCTV system was introduced in the summer with every seat in the ground covered and recorded.