It doesn’t take a lip reading expert to work out what was said.
In the immediate aftermath of Steven Davis’ excellent opener for Rangers yesterday, Steven Gerrard was scathing in his remarks toward the fourth official, Kevin Clancy – aimed at Celtic’s Stephen Welsh.
After Ryan Kent sent Scott Brown for a pie, having turned him inside out, the dynamic, diminutive attacker was scythed down by Welsh in a very heavy tackle.
Thankfully Bobby Madden let the game flow, resulting in the goal for Rangers.
Check out the clip below for Gerrard’s clear expression.
🔥 @StevenDavis8 🔥pic.twitter.com/7FDQQ18A45
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) April 18, 2021
As pointed out by Ally McCoist, credit is due to Madden for playing on – but how on earth did Welsh escape without a booking before the game restarted.
That was an incredible oversight by the officials.
Decisions
Later in the game, Gerrard was also incensed by the penalty award to Celtic.
A stretched arm from Joe Aribo was seemingly enough to send Celtic’s Lee Griffiths sprawling across the deck, with the Nigerian international picking up a booking in the process.
Thankfully, Allan McGregor duly obliged with the spot kick – another fine save from the veteran keeper to break Celtic hearts once again.
The Gers boss stated to Premier Sports:
“Without a doubt the big players turned up – there shouldn’t have been a penalty.”
“I thought the penalty was really soft.”
“From Bobby Madden’s view, I find it hard to see how he’s given that penalty.”
“Again Allan McGregor’s come big for us and pulled one out but I thought it was a real soft penalty.”
“In a derby, in an Old Firm, normally you don’t get those decisions.”
Now his team are in pole position to achieve the double – the incentive is clearly within sight and reach.
The next obstacle in the way comes very soon with the Scottish Cup quarter-final next Sunday against St Johnstone at Ibrox, only four days after the first of a double header against the Saints, in Perth.
It would be a fitting end to a landmark season – hopefully the Rangers squad are just starting to get a taste for sweet success.