Rangers have been branded "arrogant" by Alan Rough after Steven Gerrard's backing of Covid sinner Nathan Patterson.

Patterson, along with four Ibrox teammates, was handed a six match ban, with two suspended, after breaching strict rules by attending a house party.

His manager claimed the SFA ban was 'harsh' as it could stifle his progress as a young Scottish footballer hoping to one day pull on the dark blue for his country. Gerrard said: "Nathan is growing and growing. It's a shame that he's going to miss games moving forward. (The appeal) is something we're still discussing at the moment. We're in talks with the SFA over a date.

Glasgow Times:

"The reason for the appeal is we think it's harsh in terms of what went on on the night. We don't think everything has been taken into consideration when you are talking about the boys in terms of age and how damaging it could be for them in their careers moving forward now.

"You're talking about one of the brightest prospects ever in terms of right-back. This kid is going to go and play for Scotland and all of a sudden the SFA wants to ban him for that long. I don't get it."

Rough, though - a former Partick Thistle and Celtic goalkeeper - blasted Gerrard's stance and insisted it is "absolute nonsense" for the Gers boss to request different treatment.

Speaking on PLZ Soccer, Rough said: "It’s an absolute piece of nonsense. I don’t know where they think they’re coming from that they can dictate rules differently from everybody else. I find it really incredible. The club has already punished them and he’s only going to miss four games.

Glasgow Times:

“If the police say they broke the rules, then you get punished.

“Unless there’s something we don’t know about, it’s arrogance to come out with something like that, like they’re different from anybody else.

“The way it’s coming across is that he’s a young player and a big prospect so he should be treated a bit more lightly. “That’s the way it comes across – that we’re hindering his progress as a professional footballer."