Gerrard not happy with Clarke as he calls for Defoe to be banned for diving

  /  autty

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has expressed surprise and disappointment in Steve Clarke following the Kilmarnock manager's comments about a potential ban for Jermain Defoe.

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Clarke, one of Gerrard's former coaches at Liverpool, declared he was looking for the SFA compliance officer to show consistency and deliver the same punishment for Defoe for an alleged penalty-box dive as Jordan Jones received earlier in the season.

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Gerrard said: 'I was very surprised by Steve's comments, first and foremost because it's got absolutely nothing to do with Steve Clarke or Kilmarnock. We didn't punish Jordan Jones, we didn't give the Kilmarnock player a two-game ban, so why he's trying to get one of my players banned, is a surprise and a disappointment.

'Because that's not the type of guy I know Steve Clarke for. He is usually first class, the dealings I had with him as a player when he used to coach me, and since I've been at Rangers. So very surprised by his comments and I don't think there's any need for them at all.'

Clarke was Liverpool assistant manager from January 2011 to May 2012, towards the end of Anfield legend Gerrard's 15-year stint at the club.

Related: Glasgow Rangers Steven Gerrard Defoe
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