Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has admitted that he is “frustrated and disappointed” after six-match bans for Nathan Patterson, Calvin Bassey, Bongani Zungi, Brian Kinnear and Dapo Mebude were upheld by the Scottish FA.
The Ibrox side had appealed bans handed to the five players for breaching Covid guidelines, with Gerrard insisting his disappointment wasn’t only about one player missing out.
All five players will serve immediate four-game bans with the final two suspended and the Rangers boss now wants to move on and focus on finishing the campaign in style with a second trophy.
“We’re obviously not too happy about it. I said last week we were frustrated and disappointed that all the players were going to receive a ban” Gerrard said, as quoted by the Daily Record.
“It’s not just about Nathan. They are all as important as each other. I’m frustrated and disappointed they won’t be available for the next four games.
“But it is what it is. We accept it. We put a statement out that I back very much and we move forward.”
Patterson, Zungu and Bassey could be able to return in time for the final league game of the season, should Rangers reach the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup – also giving them the chances of a possible Scottish Cup final appearance.
With Kinnear and Mebude on loan, both will miss crucial games in the final weeks of their respective side’s seasons.
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