Gerrard to serve ban in Ibrox clash

Steven Gerrard will be free to lead Rangers out at Celtic Park after accepting a one-game ban as punishment for his midweek outburst at referee John Beaton.

The Ibrox boss had been charged with “misconduct” after marching on to the pitch to confront the official at half-time during Wednesday’s win at Livingston.

The 1-0 victory means Rangers will be crowned champions this weekend if they beat St Mirren today and Celtic slip up away to Dundee United tomorrow.

If the Hoops triumph at Tannadice, Rangers could clinch the title at Parkhead on March 21 and Gerrard will be able to take his place on the touchline.

Rangers confirmed last night that Gerrard has accepted the touchline ban, meaning he is set to be in the stands for the visit of St Mirren.

Gerrard told the club’s website: “After the game, I immediately apologised for my part in the incident at half-time in our game v Livingston.

“I reiterate that apology and accept a one-game suspension. As a club, we were extremely disappointed in the attitude displayed by the referee.

“We expect to have the ability for managers and officials to have discussion, but frustratingly, the referee was not forthcoming. This has also been noted by other managers in recent weeks.

“After my apology post match, I expected the referee to call to apologise for his part in the incident but I didn’t hear from him.

“(Rangers sporting director) Ross Wilson had a long, frank and honest discussion with (head of referee operations) Crawford Allan today. Be in no doubt that our concerns have been made very clear and we are pleased that they were received openly by Crawford.”

Gerrard was left furious after seeing Beaton book Alfredo Morelos for a penalty box dive when TV pictures showed Lions keeper Max Stryjek had clipped the striker.

Striding toward the referee, Gerrard shouted: “You were f ****** bang wrong. You’re bang out of order.”

Beaton responded by flashing two quickfire yellow cards and Gerrard was forced to watch from the main stand at the Tony Macaroni Arena as Morelos’ netted an 87th-minute winner.

Rangers appealed against the striker’s yellow card which was subsequently rescinded following a fasttrack disciplinary hearing yesterday.

Gerrard insists he is only bothered about the fact the title party takes place – not the time or the venue.

Rangers are just four points away from being crowned domestic kings for the first time in a decade, with many fans preferring the dream scenario of seeing their side finally smash Celtic’s dominance on their rivals’ home patch.

But Gerrard said: “Fans are entitled to think what they want. People will want it to happen for their own satisfaction. For me it’s about becoming champions as quick as we can in any way we can do that.

“The important thing as a group is to just keeping winning football matches and it will happen when it happens.

“I totally respect that some fans might want to win it this way or that way, but I don’t think anyone will complain when we get this over the line.

“If it happens on Sunday in April or May, I don’t care so long as it happens.”

Leon Balogun is available again to deputise for injured skipper James Tavernier (knee) following the quad injury which kept him out of Wednesday’s win over Livingston.

Kemar Roofe and Ryan Jack (both calf ) will re-join Gerrard’s squad next week while long-term knee casualty Nikola Katic is not due back until next season.

St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin says his squad are refreshed and ready to go.

The Paisley outfit have just come through a hectic schedule of 10 games in 27 days but only strikers Eamonn Brophy and Kristian Dennis are out.

● Ross County captain Iain Vigurs returns from a twomatch ban for the game with fellow strugglers Kilmarnock but defender Callum Morris remains out with a hamstring problem and Mohamed Maouche misses out for personal reasons.

Clevid Dikamona is Killie’s only absentee.

● Motherwell will have an unchanged squad for their clash with Livingston with 11 players still ruled out.

Mark O’hara, Liam Grimshaw (both illness), Bevis Mugabi (shoulder) and Sherwin Seedorf (knee) are sidelined along with recent signings Eddie Nolan, Sam Foley and Harry Smith, plus longterm knee injury victims Trevor Carson, Charles Dunne, Liam Donnelly and Scott Fox.

Livi picked up a couple of injuries against Rangers with strikers Gavin Reilly and Scott Robinson both going off early.

ONE-GAME BAN: Steven Gerrard apologised for outburst at Livingston.