STEVEN GERRARD has accused Celtic of ‘playing the victim card’ in their defence of captain Scott Brown following Rangers’ Old Firm defeat at Parkhead on Sunday.

Brown provoked an angry reaction from Rangers supporters after goading the away crowd at the full-time whistle. Andy Halliday confronted the 33-year-old and sparked a post-match melee.

Brown’s actions have been criticised in some quarters but both boss Neil Lennon and assistant manager John Kennedy have backed their skipper, who was also involved in flashpoints involving Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent as Celtic won 2-1.

The Herald:

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Gerrard has questioned why Brown celebrated in front of the 800 Rangers supporters and said: “Neil Lennon will say what Neil Lennon wants to say. His assistant will say whatever he wants to say. If they want to play the victim card, that’s up to them. No problem.

“For me, the Old Firm is done. They won the game.

“There were a lot of talking points and flashpoints and I’ve spoken about them all. It’s not the time to focus on the individuals. It’s about what we can affect in the seven games in front of us.

“Things happen in the Old Firm that people are going to talk about. That’s the reality, that’s life.”