Steven Gerrard puts 'naive' comments from Peter Hartley to bed
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has forgiven Motherwell skipper Peter Hartley for his "naive'' comments about Fabio Cardoso following talks with Fir Park counterpart Stephen Robinson.
Hartley issued an apology and retraction on Thursday after saying it was "fun to watch'' Cardoso "weeping'' after the Portuguese defender suffered a broken nose in a clash with Well frontman Ryan Bowman last season.
The defender admitted his comments fell below the standards expected of a Motherwell captain and claimed he got caught up in the excitement of preparing for a big game.
And Gerrard moved to ease the tension the original comments created ahead of Rangers' visit to Fir Park in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Sunday.
The Rangers boss said: "We accept the apology. I spoke to Steve (Robinson) this morning. The kid has been naive, he's got it badly wrong.
"But to be fair he has been sharp to retract the comments and issue an apology.
"Steve has been on this morning, we've had a conversation and I think it's important now that we focus on the football. There's an exciting game to play on Sunday for both teams and I think we need to put that to bed.
"We accept the apology, we forgive and we move on.''
Cardoso - now playing for Santa Clara in his homeland after having his Rangers contract ripped up - was left with blood pouring from his nose as Motherwell beat Rangers 2-0 to reach the Betfred Cup final in October last year.
Motherwell midfielder Chris Cadden later admitted his side had set out to bully'' Pedro Caixinha's side and the tactics worked.
But Gerrard insists his new-look Light Blues will be up for the fight this time.
"If teams want to come to try and rough us up and bully us we're game, we're up for it,'' he said. "Bring it on. It's no problem.
"We can't control other team's tactics and game plans. If that's their style then we embrace it and will deal with it.
"All we ask is the referee gives us the protection that we need, for both teams.
"There is a difference between being physical, fair and playing in a direct style. We have absolutely no problem with that. In terms of bullying, we just need to be careful that the officials protect us as well.'