Rangers boss Steven Gerrard confirms his side will NOT take the knee before Celtic clash

Steven Gerrard has confirmed that his Rangers side will not take the knee before the Old Firm Derby against Celtic this lunchtime. 

Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara was subject of alleged racist abuse in the ill-tempered Europa League tie against Slavia Prague on Thursday, with the incident currently under a UEFA investigation, while forward Kemar Roofe was also targeted with alleged racist abuse on social media. 

But ahead of kick-off at Celtic Park, Gerrard stated on Sky Sports that the newly-crowned champions would not be taking the knee and would instead be standing ‘side-by-side’ after a discussion between the players. 

Steven Gerrard has confirmed that his Rangers side will not take the knee before the Old Firm

Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara was the subject of alleged racial abuse on Thursday evening 

UEFA are investigating after Kamara (right) claimed he was called ‘a f****** monkey’ by Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela (left), who has denied the allegations

‘We won’t take the knee,’ Gerrard said. 

‘I spoke to both me captains yesterday and they’ve made a collective decision that they’re going to stand. They’re going to stand together, side-by-side, and we’ll support that and follow suit as staff too.

‘I wasn’t aware of the chat that the players had amongst themselves but James and Connor have come to see me yesterday and I totally understand the decision they’ve made.  

‘I totally back it 100 per cent, and we’ll do the same as a staff.’

Kamara, who claimed he was called a f****** monkey by Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela on Thursday at Ibrox, was named in Gerrard’s starting XI on Sunday.   

Kudela refuted the allegations and has since countered saying he was punched by Kamara in the tunnel after the game. 

The Rangers player was furious after Kudela was seen whispering something to him

‘I know the boy [Kamara] very well,’ Gerrard added. ‘I know the character and he’s desperate to play today. What a place to play football. 

‘So I didn’t have to have the chat but obviously just to check on his welfare and how he was feeling, of course I did that as well. He’s totally fine and looking forward to the game.’ 

In a statement released through his lawyer on Friday night, Kamara made his feelings clear.

‘There is no place for racism or any form of bigotry in football,’ he said. 

‘Since (the) summer, many of us have taken the knee in solidarity with those who have lost their lives to racial violence. If UEFA genuinely wants to “show racism the red card”, then it’s time to stop the tokenism and take a zero-tolerance approach.

Kamara has called on UEFA to take serious action and go beyond tokenism in tackling racism

Gerrard confronted Slavia Prague’s coaching staff about the incident after the match at Ibrox

‘As a player, I do not expect myself, nor any other to have to tolerate racial hatred on or off the pitch in 2021. The vile racist abuse by Ondrej Kedel (sic) took place on the international stage, and any failure to act by UEFA will be viewed as a greenlight for racism.

‘During yesterday’s (Thursday’s) match with Slavia Prague, Kedel (sic) was arguing with a Rangers player and after I tried to intervene, he told me to shut up and then said “one second my friend”.

‘He then came over to me covering his mouth, leaning into my ear, he uttered the words – ”You’re a f***ing monkey, you know you are”.

‘I was shocked and horrified to hear such racist abuse from a professional football player. Kedel’s (sic) claim he simply swore at me and said “You’re a f***ing guy” is a complete utter lie which does not stand up to any form of scrutiny. 

More to follow…