Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has explained the bust-up which led to a raft of Gers players refusing to acknowledge Hibs defender Ryan Porteous.
The Ibrox gaffer was speaking after the Gers dropped two points at Easter Road in a disappointing 2-2 draw in Edinburgh, despite largely dominating the match.
Porteous has plenty of history with Rangers and took centre-stage once again with a mixture of robust challenges and off-the-ball incidents involving the Ibrox side.
Come full-time a story broke that James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos and Steven Gerrard refused to acknowledge the 21-year-old and the Gers gaffer has explained why.
The Liverpool legend also believes that Porteous and Hibs teammate Paul Hanlon were lucky to escape further action for roughing up Alfredo Morelos and Ianis Hagi.
“Yes. I think there could have been more action taken. But that’s out of my control,” said Gerrard [EEN].
“I didn’t see the (Porteous) incident initially. I think Porteous was saying that Tav’s a bad loser which I think is a bit cheap coming from him.
“He got sent off for a really bad tackle when he was losing 3-0 against us here last season.”
Gerrard’s comments referred to a disgraceful challenge by Porteous on defender Borna Barisic when Rangers dismantled Hibs 3-0 at Easter Road last December.
The flying challenge left Barisic in a heap with both benches jumping up in defiance as Porteous saw red.
The resultant fall-out saw both Hibs’ John Potter and Rangers’ Tom Culshaw sent to the stands as emotions ran high in Edinburgh.
Porteous himself dismissed the talk of a rammy in the 2-2 draw this time around and played down the incident.
“I’m not bothered about that,” said Porteous.
“What happens on the pitch should probably just stay on the pitch.”
