Steven Gerrard insists he wants sectarian abuse driven out of Ibrox, but delivered a thinly-veiled dig at Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke.
The Rangers boss questioned why the Scot didn’t highlight the abuse directed at Kris Boyd by Celtic fans on Sunday.
Clarke launched an attack on the minority of Gers fans who branded him a ‘sad F***** b*****’ at the end of Wednesday’s Scottish Cup replay.
Last Sunday, Boyd was hit by a coin and targeted with sectarian abuse at Rugby Park by some travelling Celtic fans.
Responding to Clarke’s post-match press conference, Gerrard said: “It’s happened in the last four or five days to Steve and his players.
“There was stuff said at Kilmarnock v Celtic as well at the weekend but Steve didn’t want to really speak about the abuse that Boydy got at the weekend.
“I respect Steve’s opinion but all I can say is as a club we don’t support any unacceptable behaviour from the terraces.
“We want it out, whatever kind of abuse it is we don’t want it. Homophobic, racial, religion, we don’t want it and we don’t support it.
“The club made a statement on it and made that very clear. The majority are doing their best to eradicate it but I don’t think you can tar every supporter with the same brush.
“We had nearly 40,000 fans at that game. There’s a lot of praise to go to our supporters too. They got behind the team and the players treated them to a very important result.
“Unfortunately there were a minority there and we will try to eradicate that from our support. I wasn’t aware of this until I got home.
“I had a beer with Steve after the game and he was his normal self. We spoke about football, about the game and upcoming fixtures.
“I wasn’t aware of what he had said in his press conference so it was a surprise to me when I got home. But obviously I respect his feelings.
“Steve’s said what he’s said and the club had made a statement. I support them on that.
“Whether it’s chants, coin-throwing or anything that does not belong in football, we want it out.
“Individuals and small minorities at certain stadiums let themselves down unfortunately. That’s not just in this league.
“I’ve had experience of it before. Of late there’s been different kind of abuse in football matches and as a football family we should all be trying to eradicate it from the terraces because it’s unacceptable.
“I’ve got confidence in the club that they’ll be doing everything they can to try help get rid of it.
“I’ve had it since I was 18. I just echo what Boydy said at the weekend, as long as it’s not physical I’m okay with it.
“I’m not going to react to any abuse but I’ve had it quite a bit. I don’t want it, I don’t welcome it but it’s fine, no problem. I just get on with it.”