Kilmarnock vs Rangers preview: Steve Clarke re-ignites war of words with Steven Gerrard
Friday 8 February 2019 18:08, UK
Steven Gerrard and Steve Clarke will go head to head fresh from their war of words as Rangers visit Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm).
Since their last defeat at Rugby Park on January 23, Rangers have won their last four games and have moved back within six points of Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.
But in the wake of that game, Gerrard accused Clarke, his opposite number and former coach when the pair briefly worked together at Liverpool in 2011, of "lacking class" when he suggested Rangers had been fortunate with a number of refereeing decisions in other games.
Clarke returned to those comments as he prepares his side to face Gerrard's in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup this weekend, and said: "I mentioned some incidents, no names. I mentioned the fact that one of our players and another player, I didn't mention the name, were involved in similar incidents and I just asked for consistency of the process.
"I'm a little bit disappointed, obviously, that Steven came back more personal than I had [when I] made the original comment.
"I made a wide-ranging amount of comments about consistency and I've been consistent in asking for consistency since August."
Gerrard has said nothing more on the matter since his original quotes earlier this week - and instead has focused on praising on-loan winger Ryan Kent, who had a big hand in both of Alfredo Morelos' goals in their 4-2 win at Aberdeen on Wednesday night.
He said: "I have been delighted with his contribution. On the back of two tough loans he has come here and taken the league by storm so far.
"The challenge for Ryan was, 'Can he produce against the top teams in the league?' Well, he's now produced against Aberdeen and did against Celtic and is finding consistency in his game.
"He's happy, he's enjoying it and I'm loving working with him."
