STEVEN GERRARD has praised the professionalism of Glen Kamara as the midfielder focuses on his football amid the ongoing fall-out from the racist abuse he suffered last month.
Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela was this week handed a ten-game ban by UEFA after being convicted of racially abusing Kamara during their Europa League clash with Rangers and he missed the defeat to Arsenal on Thursday.
Kamara will serve a three-game suspension following an alleged altercation in the tunnel and both players could face further action from Police Scotland following an investigation.
Laca is loving life! 🙌
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 15, 2021
The Arsenal striker has now scored back-to-back braces 🎯 pic.twitter.com/PDsTgEkfCn
But the 25-year-old will not allow another week of headlines to detract from his football as he prepares for Sunday's Scottish Cup fourth round fixture with Celtic at Ibrox.
Gerrard said: "I think Glen has handled the whole situation really well and professionally. It is typical of him, really.
"Really calm, really measured, he is a clever kid and really mature for someone of his age.
"He has been through a lot but what he has had is really strong support from all of us here at Rangers and from everyone at the club, the supporters and you guys as well and everyone around the game.
"He has gone about his business very well, very professionally and he is fine. He is looking forward to the game at the weekend, he has prepared really well and I have had numerous chats with Glen.
"The main thing that is coming from him is that he just wants to play football and that is what he loves doing. We will continue to support him in any way that we can."
Kamara has received widespread support following the incident at Ibrox and the punishment handed to Kudela has been criticised by key figures across the domestic and European game.
Arsenal players took a knee ahead of their last eight fixture with Slavia on Thursday evening and Mikel Arteta's side would run out comfortable 4-0 winners to end Prague's controversial European campaign.
Arsenal fans can take a lot of pride in what Lacazette did tonight pic.twitter.com/jlvjUmdBNS
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) April 15, 2021
Gerrard said: "I loved everything about the game. I loved Arsenal’s performance, I loved the way they went about it and I admired how they approached before the game, during the game and after the game.
"I was really proud watching Arsenal last night. Everything about it. I thought the way they prepared for the game, the way the manager spoke, the way the players behaved during and after, and then to back it up with that level of performance, I sat there and really enjoyed that game. I thought it was a sensational performance."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel