THE RANGERS manager Steven Gerrard is pleased with the scheduling of the Betfred Cup semi-finals and reckons that any questions regarding the state of the pitch for the second tie of the day should be directed to Craig Levein and Brendan Rodgers.
It was to be said that it was very considerate of Police Scotland to deliver the perfect scenario for Gerrard so perhaps he could have uttered a word for praise for the boys in blue.
“It’s a bit of a unique situation and unique circumstances because ourselves and Celtic are still going in Europe,” Gerrard said today.
“But in terms of having an opinion on it, or adding to anything that’s been said, then no I’ve got nothing to say apart from we’re really looking forward to our game, we’re first on the pitch which is a bonus and we’re in for a very tough test against a good Aberdeen team.
“It’s a really exciting game for us and our fans. We can’t wait for it.
“We haven’t got that problem (of playing second), we’re first on the pitch so there’s nothing to be said. That’s a question you’d have to ask Craig Levein and Brendan Rodgers.
“I’m delighted we’re first there.”
So what have Brendan Rodgers and Craig Levein had to say about it all?
Let’s start with Brendan. He was asked about playing second on the Hampden pitch, just hours after the Aberdeen v Rangers semi-final.
“It would be good for Hearts,” the Celtic manager said with a twinkle in his eye. Rodgers was of course referring to Craig Levein’s policy of playing Celtic in long grass on the last couple of games at Tynecastle.
“It could go into extra-time, it could go into penalties,” the Celtic manager continued.
“It really could operationally be a real push. But listen, we see the issues around it, both on the pitch and off the pitch. We can only control how we prepare for the game now.
“I only assume that it had been anticipated, what may happen, and I’m only assuming it is the best solution that they thought before it would have happened.
“From the outside, it looks operationally and logistically a major challenge, but the organisers and police must feel that it will be under control. So we have to accept that it’s been organised in what they feel is the best way.”
Levein though was nowhere near as measured in his response – it’s fair to say that he’s raging and somehow he has turned his anger into an excuse to punish Celtic supporters!
“We are actually discouraging fans to come to the game,” the Hearts boss said, as reported on the BBC website.
“It’s absolute madness. I just don’t understand how they can think it’s all right. It just doesn’t compute with me.
“I have got players talking to me about how disappointed their families are that they can’t come and watch their dad playing in a semi final.”
Levein continued by hatching a plot to leave 10,000 empty seats at Hampden, thus denying Celtic season ticket holders the chance to be there, just so that he can spite the SPFL.
“I want 50% of the tickets, I want to go to Hampden and make it feel like we have a huge Hearts presence there. One thing is for certain we are not getting that on a Sunday night at 19:45,” Levein raged.
“See if it goes ahead at that time, I want 50% of the tickets. So if we get 25,000 and only sell 15,000 this club will take no responsibility for that.
“This will fall fair and square at the feet of Neil Doncaster and the SPFL. They made the decision to put a game on which does not suit supporters. It’s absolute madness.
“We have just told them it doesn’t suit us and Aberdeen have told them it doesn’t suit them. The O*d F*rm have support from all over the country so it won’t suit some of their supporters either.”
Meanwhile the Aberdeen manager reckons that the noon start for his club’s semi-final against The Rangers is “really unfair” and that the Dons supporters have been harshly treated again.
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