Gerrard calling on officials to get big decisions correct

STEVEN GERRARD has demanded Rangers don’t leave the Old Firm clash with another legitimate grievance against match officials. The Light Blues boss is desperate for the game against Celtic to be controversy free after the recent furore of the Betfred Cup final.

Gerrard said: “Obviously, a big decision unfortunately went against us and there is nothing we can do to change that, we need to accept it. “But you know and I know the officials got it wildly wrong.

“You just hope before a ball is kicked that everyone is talking about the football after the game and not a decision that has been wrong and that affects the outcome of the game. “The least we deserve is a good, strong performance from all the officials.” Filip Helander

(inset) apart, Gerrard has a full squad from which to choose as the

Light Blues bid for their first victory at Parkhead since October 2010. Gerrard has previously indicated the outcome of Old Firm matches could prove irrelevant in the overall title race as a result of points dropped elsewhere.

However, he has reevaluated his position in light of the impressive consistency shown by both clubs in the opening half of the campaign. He added: “Last season these results didn’t prove significant because it was split 50-50.

“But last year a lot of teams were taking points off Celtic and ourselves, so maybe the importance of the Old Firm results wasn’t going to be pivotal. “This time, it looks as if it’s taking a different pattern – so far.

“With all due respect, with the consistency of Celtic and ourselves it could well boil down to what happens in the Old Firm matches. “It’s difficult to deny that and that’s the reason it’s so important we get a result.”