IBROX BOSS RAPS GOODWIN FOR COVID ‘SUPPORT’ PLEA

STEVEN GERRARD has taken a swipe at Jim Goodwin after the St Mirren boss urged fellow clubs to challenge the SPFL’s penalties for coronavirus breaches.

Saints have appealed a decision by a league tribunal to force them to forfeit two matches after a Covid-19 outbreak earlier this season.

Ahead of an independent panel considering appeals by the Paisley club and Kilmarnock this week, Goodwin hopes rivals will back his calls for ‘common sense’ to prevail.

‘I think it’s time that every other club not involved in this joined in and showed they’re not happy with it either,’ he said. But Rangers manager Gerrard has aimed a dig back at

Goodwin, who recently called for referees to be ‘brave enough’ to award penalties against the Ibrox side — a team yet to concede a spot-kick in the Premiership.

Asked if he believed fellow Scottish clubs would support St Mirren and Kilmarnock in their appeal process, Gerrard replied: ‘Is that the same Jim Goodwin who was talking about trying to get penalties against my team a few weeks ago? The same guy?’

Meanwhile, Gerrard insists he is desperate to hold on to his star players before the transfer window closes. The manager has expressed his desire to discuss a new contract with veteran goalkeeper Allan McGregor, as well as ensuring defender Leon Balogun stays at Rangers beyond the summer.

Gerrard also expects the loan market to be busy for his younger players, with 18-year-old winger Kai Kennedy already having signed a new two-year contract on Friday and now spending the rest of the season at Championship side Raith Rovers.

‘We don’t want to be losing any of our best players, so I’ll be really strong in terms of that,’ said the Ibrox boss. ‘I want to keep this squad where it’s at, certainly to the end of the season.’