STEVEN GERRARD admits he shares John Kennedy's frustrations regarding Covid-19 rule breaches in Scottish football and claims he 'feels his pain' that Rangers will be able to field three first team players against Celtic next weekend.

Kennedy has been critical of the Scottish FA for their handling of the cases involving Nathan Patterson, Bongani Zungu and Calvin Bassey, as well as youngsters Brian Kinnear and Dapo Mebude, after Rangers confirmed their intention to appeal their Hampden sanctions.

The Ibrox five were given four-match bans, with a further two games suspended, for breaking Coronavirus regulations in February and the appeal hearing will not be heard until Tuesday, April 20.

Glasgow Times: Rangers manager Steven Gerrard

That delay means Gerrard will be able to field his three first team players in the Old Firm Scottish Cup clash and he agrees with Kennedy's assertion that there have been flaws exposed in the SFA disciplinary system this term.

Gerrard said: "We want all our players fit and available, especially when you are in my shoes with all the challenges that are thrown in front of us.

"Obviously we have just had news the hearing is when it is, which means the Covid lads will be available for the next couple.

"Of course that's a boost, we didn't expect that, but it is what it is, those decisions are out of our control, we don't decide when those hearings are.

"We wait for contact and the SFA have given us a date and we have accepted the date, so we will deal with that when it comes.

“We don't control when the hearings come. I agree with John in terms of the inconsistencies from the SFA because we have been speaking about that for some time now

“When you are talking about punishment, (Boli) Bolingoli left the country of his own will and then came back and trained amongst his peers and then went and played at Kilmarnock and put other people's health in jeopardy.

Glasgow Times: GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 17: Rangers manager Steven Gerrard during a Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on October 17, 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group).

“He was given a five-game ban and three were suspended, and the Aberdeen guys were given three games and they were all suspended. There were obviously positive Covid tests on the back of that.

“I definitely agree with John in terms of the inconsistencies and to be honest I would probably be a bit frustrated as well if I were him if good players were available to play against his team next week as well. So I feel his pain."