Gerrard: I’ll keep up safety message
STEVEN Gerrard has stressed that he will continue to urge Rangers fans to observe Covid-19 lockdown protocols to in the coming weeks – and expressed hope the Old Firm game against Celtic at Parkhead on Sunday, March 21, will go ahead as scheduled.
The Premiership match is in danger of being called off as a result of thousands of the Ibrox club’s supporters flouting coronavirus lockdown restrictions and taking to the streets of Glasgow to celebrate their 55th Scottish title triumph this weekend.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her deputy John Swinney have been publicly critical of an alleged “lack of leadership” at Rangers following scenes which they branded “disgraceful” and “shameful”.
Ms Sturgeon confirmed at her daily briefing on Tuesday that she was set to have a series of talks about the fixture this week before making a decision on whether the derby game can be played. Speaking yesterday morning ahead of the Europa League last16 match against Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic, Gerrard admitted he would like to see the fixture fulfilled.
“I’ll let those conversations continue with the powers that be,” he said. “That’s above my head at this football club. But I’ll continue to relay messages like I have previously. Let’s hope these games can go ahead.”
Rangers took extra precautionary measures when they travelled to the Czech Republic with players and coaching staff, who all returned negative coronavirus tests, issued with special FFP-2 maks. There is currently a spike in coronavirus cases in the Czech Republic.
RANGERS will take extra Covid precautions during their trip to the Czech Republic as Steven Gerrard’s side prepare to face Slavia Prague in the Europa League last 16.
The Premiership champions began their journey to the Czech capital on Wednesday afternoon after Gerrard conducted his pre-match press conference at Auchenhowie first thing in the morning.
And Rangers will look to further mitigate the risks of catching Coronavirus by travelling straight to the team hotel from the airport and avoiding the usual visit to the stadium the night before a game.
Gerrard finalised his training preparations in Glasgow before Rangers’ departure and the first time his players see the Sinobo Stadium will be when they arrive for their first leg clash on Thursday evening.
All players and staff have been issued with FFP-2 masks and the latest round of Covid tests have returned no positive cases as Rangers take all precautions possible ahead of the Slavia showdown.
The Czech Republic are in the midst of a spike of Covid cases as record numbers of patients occupy hospital beds across the country and Rangers requested that all staff at their team hotel returned negative tests ahead of their arrival.
Gerrard confirmed on Wednesday that striker Kemar Roofe will return to the squad for the last 16 tie but there will be no place for Ryan Jack or James Tavernier as Rangers look to secure a positive first leg result to bring back to Ibrox next week.