FORMER Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko has taken a sideswipe at Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard.
The Midtjylland skipper was puzzled when the Liverpool legend targeted him after the Danes had lost 3-1 in Glasgow to exit the Europa League on a 7-3 aggregate.
Gerrard appeared to put his fingers to his lips as the ex-Hoops centre-half walked up the tunnel at the end.
Sviatchenko, who spent two years at Parkhead, was mystified by the action and, speaking to the Daily Record, admitted: “He made a gesture that suggested, ‘You’re not so funny any more’ or ‘You’re quiet now’. Something like that.
“I don’t know why he said that because my comments throughout were respectful. But it’s up to him what he wants to say after the game.
“They deserved the victories and I’m annoyed it came down to individual errors. At that level in Europe, against a good team like Rangers, we were punished.
“All the best to Rangers as they were the much better team over two legs.”
Sviatchenko, though, was stunned his old club lost 4-3 in their Champions League qualifier against Cluj, who, in turn, were beaten 1-0 at home against Slavia Prague in their first lef play-off last night.
He is backing Neil Lennon’s men to overcome the setback and see off the challengers and help seal a little place for him in the club’s history as part of 10-in-a-row.
The Danish international added: “It was disappointing to see Celtic lose to Cluj as I know how much the co-efficient points matter to Scottish football just as much as the victories.
“Celtic will bounce back, especially as Rangers appear to have something to say this season. I’m looking forward to watching it unfold.
“I’ve said before, it’s always good to have more than one team dominating in the league even though I will always have Celtic in my heart.
“I hope they will go on and give everything to achieve nine-in-a-row and then the magical number 10. Hopefully, they will reach this record.
“A part of history for me? I will take every piece of history, especially as I had such a wonderful time at Celtic.”
Sviatchenko was brought to the Hoops by Ronny Deila during his two-year reign, but successor Brendan Rodgers allowed the Dane to move on after he arrived in the summer of 2016.
