GerrardG fires a warning after latest bottle incident
Steven Gerrard fears only when someone gets “extremely hurt” will players stop being targeted by fans for missile attacks and physical confrontation.
The Rangers manager watched on powerless on Friday night as Borna Barisic had a glass bottle and other objects hurled at him from a stand containing Hibs supporters while he lay injured on the Easter Road pitch.
It followed a similar incident in March when Celtic winger Scott Sinclair was almost struck by a bottle while taking a corner at the same section of the Leith stadium.
Just one week later, a pitch invader emerged from the East Stand to confront Rangers captain James Tavernier as he attempted to retrieve the ball.
The perpetrator was later jailed for 100 days and received a Football Banning Order of 10 years.
Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster threatened to close that section of the ground in response to the incidents, and the club upgraded their CCTV.
However, while they have pledged to investigate the latest trouble, the exasperation of Gerrard at what he perceives as a continued failure to protect his players is clear to see.
“Because of what happened here last year, we knew the players would have to show discipline in their behaviour,” said the Rangers manager.
“I am really pleased and proud of how they handled themselves and the way they kept their cool – in football terms but also when there are lighters and bottles going over your head, which is a very dangerous situation.
“Borna spoke to the fans when he got up. But I think he was just asking: ‘ Why?’. And also to say: ‘Stop’.
“It is going to take someone to get extremely hurt before it stops, I think.
“They Hibs need to carry the actions out. It is their problem. But, look, across the board we don’t want to see that type of behaviour from the supporters.
“It is disappointing to see, though, when all we ask is safety for the players and safety for everyone that comes to the stadium.”
The Rangers manager was cool, though, on suggestions previous trouble at fixtures involving Rangers and Celtic away to Hibs made it a risky proposition to have the games scheduled for Friday nights to suit live TV broadcasts.
“It is for the TV to decide. We don’t have a say on that. We just come and do our job,” said Gerrard.
“I also think 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 the Rangers players.”
It was a valid point.
Forget the senseless tackle from Ryan Porteous on Barisic and the trouble it sparked.
In addition to the defender, coaches John Potter and Tom Culshaw, of Hibs and Rangers respectively, were both shown red cards for a set to on the sidelines.
But away from that controversy, there was much to like about Rangers’ display.
Arguably the best of all was the display of 37- year- old Jermain Defoe, who showed why the Ibrox club have been working so hard to persuade the Bournemouth striker to stay on past the end of his loan deal.
“I am hoping it is a formality, but until it is done and signed, it is not,” said Gerrard
Despite that note of caution, he remains bullish about their chances of fighting off any counter offers from English predators.
“If you can name me a team who can offer Jermain what we are offering him – in terms of size of club, in terms of opportunity at his age, in terms of the dressing room and the respect he has got of the staff and the players – then I will have a debate with you,” said Gerrard. “He has got everything here that he needs. “It is fantastic club and he is going to get more and more opportunities. Come the end of the season, he will be satisfied with his game time.
“I am sure he is going to get a high number of goals. He has a big part to play. We make sure he knows how important he is here.
“I think the club have been really quick in terms of letting him know how much he is wanted, which should also be important to Jermaine because sometimes the grass is not always greener.
“I listen to all his press and it seems like he is having a real good time. Of course, he thrives off game time and opportunity.
“That is down to me, but we have also got another forward who has been in terrific form.
“But I was really pleased with Jermain and he has given me something to think about on Boxing Day.”