Livingston boss Gary Holt has been out slamming Steven Gerrard [Daily Record] for comments he made on the Lions’ physicality, and the Rangers support have been left stunned.
Holt threw his toys out of the pram after Gerrard had forewarned referees to clamp down on the sort of brutality which saw Joe Aribo needing 20 stitches in his forehead on Rangers’ last visitto the Tony Macaroni [Rangers].
Holt – seemingly enraged at someone stating the obvious – launched into a rant about keeping any complaints private and even brought Walter Smith into it.
“It was the naivety in the comments about my club Livingston from Rangers manager Steven Gerrard that surprised me,” said Holt [Daily Record].
“It’s not on to suggest that the way my players approach a game puts opponents in greater harm. Football is a contact sport.
“Injuries are sustained – it’s an occupational hazard…But to suggest our club is one where head injuries are the norm is way offside.
“Ahead of a game against Livingston between a club the size and stature of Rangers, would someone such as Walter Smith have made similar comments?”
No bother Gary. I suppose flying elbows and foul play are just part of the wonderful variety and culture of the Scottish game too?
Steven Gerrard has very much touched a nerve here, and after three players sustained head knocks for serious foul play on the last visit to West Lothian, he’s well within his rights to call Livi’s tactics out.
These Rangers fans agree.
https://twitter.com/johnale26465604/status/1193316979341504512
https://twitter.com/MisterEStrange/status/1193368203348631559
https://twitter.com/Scotty_7298/status/1193322142722641920
https://twitter.com/GraemeNotMurty/status/1193323832150503424
https://twitter.com/EvanC1/status/1193320207105830913
The fact that Gary Holt has sprung into life with a full column on Gerrard’s comments shows just how sensitive the former Killie midfielder is to criticism.
Especially when it’s perfectly valid.
When a hammer-throwing manager gets called out for being a hammer-throwing manager, should we really be surprised when he reacts like one too?
