Pettersen wades in on Solheim Cup war of words with USA
IT may have been said with a smile on her face but there was no disguising the competitive edge as Suzann Pettersen weighed into the pre-bout posturings ahead of the 16th Solheim Cup at Gleneagles.
Danielle Kang, the exuberant Californian, lit the blue touch paper earlier in the week when she stated that the transatlantic tussle left her wanting to “take souls”, make opponents “cry” and “just crush” the opposition. Asked for a response to the American’s goading, Norwegian Solheim Cup stalwart Pettersen said: “We’re just going to step on their necks.”
It was a line delivered with good humour but, given the fire in the belly that Pettersen possesses, probably one not to be taken lightly.
Pettersen’s European colleague, Jodi Ewart Shadoff, also picked up on Kang’s comments and admitted that the words have helped to fuel the home side’s desire as Catriona Matthew’s side looks to thwart the STEVEN GERRARD has accused Scotland of being “careless” with Ryan Jack after he was left furious at the knee injury the midfielder sustained whilst on international duty last week.
The 27-year-old was named in Steve Clarke’s squad for the European Championship ties with Russia and Belgium but returned to Rangers for treatment in the aftermath of the first defeat at Hampden that saw Scotland’s chances of qualificat ion all- but ended prematurely once again.
Clarke had claimed before the 4-0 loss to Belgium that Rangers had decided to go “safety first” after swelling flared up on Jack’s knee in training. USA’s bid for a third successive triumph in the biennial bout.
She said: “I think it’s just extra motivation for us really. I don’t think there will be any tears on our team. Just tears of happiness.”
Pettersen, who was nursing a sore throat ahead of the first day, will not feature in this morning’s opening
But Rangers are deeply upset and frustrated with how Jack was handled after being put through a tough training session in the aftermath of the Old Firm defeat to Celtic. Jack is now a major fitness concern for the Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Livingston tomorrow as Gerrard faces being left without one of his most consistent performers.
Gerrard said: “He’s a doubt for Saturday. Unfortunately he was asked to do an 11k session two days after an Old Firm, which made his knee flare up.
“So we have had to manage him, he has had to have a couple of procedures since.
“He did a light session with the physio today [Thursday] and we are hoping to get him into training [on Friday].
“I think it’s just careless. You should never, ever do 11k two days after playing 90 minutes. That’s the education I’ve had. Ryan’s got a knee issue that he manages and he has done for a long time.
“The SFA are aware of that, their fitness coach is aware of that. I think everyone in Scotland watched the Old Firm and saw Ryan play 90 minutes. And then 48 hours afterwards, he did a double session.”
The fine form that Jack has shown in the opening weeks of the campaign was rewarded by Clarke as he handed him a recall to the international fold this month.
Gerrard has often spoken of his pride at his players receiving such honours and there was a boost for Jack’s fellow midfielder Joe Aribo in recent days as he capped his debut for Nigeria with a goal in the friendly defeat to Ukraine. But England