Gerrard will take no chances with skipper Tavernier ahead of Celtic cup clash
Steven Gerrard insists he will take no chances with James Tavernier#s fitness as he weighs up whether to plunge the Rangers skipper back into action in next week's Old Firm Scottish Cup showdown. The captain has not featured since injuring knee ligaments against Royal Antwerp back in February.
But the right-back is pushing for a recall and is keen to make his return when Gers welcome bitter rivals Celtic to Ibrox for the last 16-clash. However, Gerrard, who is still waiting to hear if the game will be moved with next Saturday's scheduled date now clashing with the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, does not want to risk Tavernier suffering further damage by rushing him back too soon. The Rangers boss
- after watching his team make it a perfect 17 Premiership home wins this season with a 2-1 victory over Hibernian - said: "James has again had a good couple of days since we last spoke and he's pushing hard to be involved at the weekend.
"We'll only do that if he is ready, we won't force that. He's been out too long for us to force that.”
Gerrard suffered a further injury blow this week when Leon Balogun picked up an ankle knock, while admits he is still waiting for an update from Ryan Jack's trip to see a top London specialist about his calf complaint. It means Nathan Patterson is likely to start against Celtic but he has no concerns about that having seen the Scotland Under-21 ace edge out Hibs prospect Josh Doig.
Meanwhile, Hibs manager Jack Ross has insisted that Martin Boyle is not a diver. Ross was forced to defend his forward star after he was booked for simulation at Ibrox yesterday. The Australian international tumbled to the Ibrox turf midway through the first half of a competitive match up at Ibrox and while the visiting boss agreed it was not a penalty, he said his player had made no attempt to con the officials. We do have to be careful that just because other managers talk about him, it doesn’t become a thing. I asked him at halftime and he gave me an explanation.”
The 27-year-old attacker was embroiled in controversy following a couple of penalty shouts against Ross County last month when County boss John Hughes accused him of conning the referee. Those comments angered Ross who said he hopes that his man is not gaining an unwarranted reputation.