Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has defended his Rangers’ players including Ryan Kent who were ‘provoked’ by Scott Brown during their 2-1 defeat at Celtic.
The Old Firm derby was more than a little tasty and Celtic captain Brown was heavily involved.
From his tripping up of Alfredo Morelos which led to the striker elbowing Brown and being sent off to a bust-up with Rangers’ Andy Halliday, Brown was in the thick of it.
But the most interesting incident by far from a Liverpool perspective was Kent’s punch on Brown.
Kent is on loan at Rangers for the season and scored a wonder goal in the first half before he was seen to catch Brown in the face late on as Celtic claimed a 2-1 win.
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But rather than criticise any of his players, Gerrard insisted the situation was largely Brown’s fault.
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“You’re playing against a player who loves to antagonise. Morelos and Kent are both provoked,” Gerrard explained post-match.
“Celtic fans have the right to celebrate but to do it right in your race, Halliday has the right to protect his own people.
“The guy who antagonised it all from the beginning deserves to be punished as well. When you're provoked, it's only fair that both sides get punished in my view.
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“We’ve hurt ourselves badly this season with a lack of discipline. I’ve given my players the benefit of the doubt on too many times. Morelos has asked me for a chat, and that will be picked up.”
