THE FIRING LINE
Gerrard: Officials have to get it right this time
STEVEN GERRARD has called for a strong display from Kevin Clancy and his assistants to ensure that a refereeing error does not influence the outcome of another crucial Old Firm clash.
The Rangers manager was left frustrated earlier this month when Christopher Jullien’s winner for Celtic in the Betfred Cup final wasn’t ruled out for offside. Reflecting on that decision as ‘wildly wrong’, Gerrard expressed hope that wayward calls from the officials would not dominate attention when the title rivals clash at lunchtime tomorrow.
Clancy will be in charge as Rangers
go to Parkhead trailing Celtic by five points but with a game in hand ahead of the winter break. Asked about the pressure on the referee in a high-stakes derby, Gerrard said: ‘The pressure is there for everyone — for the players, both sets, for the coaching staff, both sets. The supporters bring pressure into the ground and it is no different for the officials. ‘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. ‘I don’t think it is fair on either group of players. I think the least we deserve is a good, strong performance from all the officials.’ Despite the bitter disappointment of losing 1-0 at Hampden having dominated play, Gerrard doesn’t feel any lingering psychological scars will affect his team this weekend. The Ibrox side’s response saw them qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League and record three successive Premiership wins without conceding. ‘I had no doubt on that because I do feel we are a different team than we were last year. I think the experience of last year has done wonders for us,’ argued Gerrard. ‘The players came back for pre-season and you could see in their eyes there was a real hunger and determination to have a successful season. ‘We did everything we could in the cup final to make that possible and I think the fans were very proud of the players’ efforts. I certainly was. But in cup finals you need a little bit of luck and to take your chances and we never did that. ‘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 that the officials got it wildly wrong.’ Gerrard is confident his squad can embrace the hostility at Parkhead, with only around 800 Rangers fans present. ‘All the players have to do is be brave, back themselves and go there with belief,’ he added. ‘When we first came together and made all the changes (in the summer of 2018), I could see the first Old Firm fixture at Celtic Park was probably a bit too big for some. Some weren’t ready for it and we weren’t maybe ready as a group. ‘But as we have grown and recruited, this squad and team are ready to compete with Celtic. This is an opportunity for us to show where we are at — and how hungry we are to change the dynamic of the league and how it has been for many years.’