Two stabbed as fans clash before Euro tie at Ibrox
Croatians’ trash talk motivated us, says Gerrard
TWO men were stabbed last night during violent clashes ahead of a football match in Glasgow.
Fighting erupted in the streets near Ibrox around an hour before Rangers’ Europa League game kicked off against Croatian side Osijek.
Footage captured by members of the public showed running battles between fans, flares being lit and people being kicked on the ground.
Police blocked off the streets with vans while a helicopter circled overhead. Officers said they were called to Edmiston Drive at its junction with Paisley Road West just after 7pm.
The injured men, aged 24 and 40, were last night being treated at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Both are said to be in a stable condition.
No one had been arrested over the brawl last night.
Detective Inspector Steven Wallace said: ‘This type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated. I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and witnessed a disturbance, particularly anyone with mobile phone or dash-cam footage, to get in touch.’
STEVEN GERRARD insisted Osijek’s pre-match jibes backfired on them as Rangers came through a tense night at Ibrox to seal their place in the Europa League third qualifying round.
Nikola Katic’s header was cancelled out by a deflected 89th-minute strike from Borna Barisic but Gerrard’s men held firm to seal a 2-1 aggregate win.
The Ibrox boss hailed the character of his side — claiming he was ‘jealous’ of Ryan Jack’s performance in midfield — as
Rangers set up a home first leg against Maribor next Thursday evening. Osijek midfielder Robert Mudrazija and manager Zoran Zekic had been critical of Rangers’ quality in recent days, with Gerrard refusing to becoming drawn into a war of words beforehand. ‘Talking doesn’t win you football matches, it doesn’t get you results,’ said the 38-year-old. ‘Sometimes it doesn’t help your players, it just motivates the opposition. ‘We thrive on all that kind of talk. We enjoyed it. My players came out and played like men and did our talking on the pitch. ‘I’m absolutely delighted with the players and now it’s all about dusting ourselves down for a big game at the weekend.’ Allan McGregor made several excellent saves on the night that he set a new record of European appearances for a Rangers No 1. Gerrard lauded his contribution but also singled out Jack in the midfield anchor role, insisting it exemplified a new toughness at the club. ‘We are going to have moments when it’s a bit turbulent and backs against the wall,’ he said. ‘But that’s the reason we brought in leaders and characters like Allan. When you need him to be big, he’s big. We brought in two centre-halves, who have been outstanding. ‘As a midfielder, I was jealous of Ryan’s performance. It was stunning. Now people know we are not a soft touch. ‘I had watched Ryan from the outside. But it’s not until you get close up to these players that you see what they are about and how hungry they are. ‘I think I have got a good type on my hands there. He is a player who cares, who wants to win and is prepared to go out on the pitch and do exactly what you have asked of him. ‘I think he made one minor mistake there in 90 minutes in a big football match. This is a kid who missed six months at the back end of last season. I am delighted with his performance.’ Gerrard felt this progression was a major milestone for his emerging team, who now head to Pittodrie for Sunday’s mouthwatering Premiership opener. ‘Not many teams will come here and be as good as Osijek,’ he added. ‘So we have passed two very good tests in the past seven days, considering the time we’ve been together. I’m very happy. ‘We are new but I think we deserve to be where we are. We should have taken a few more chances tonight, but I asked the players to give everything they’ve got — and they did. ‘Over the two legs, we did exactly what we wanted to do and needed to do.’