Former Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko has opened up on his version of events during a coming together between himself and Steven Gerrard after Rangers knocked FC Midtjylland out the Europa League.

The Danish centre-half had a run-in with the Light Blues boss after the second-leg at Ibrox where Gers thrashed his side 3-1 to win 7-3 on aggregate.

Sviatchenko and Gerrard exchanged words after the latter made a zipping gesture over his mouth to the player.

 

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Liverpool icon Gerrard attempted to play down the incident after the game, saying: "I just wished him all the best for the remainder of the season.

"He had obviously been speaking quite a lot through the media over where he is from. 

"So it was just a little send-off for him."

But former Hoops star Sviatchenko was bemused at the incident, claiming he had been "respectful" in the build-up.

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The Scottish Sun report him as saying: "Yes, [Gerrard] made a gesture that suggested, ‘You’re not so funny anymore’, or ‘You’re quiet now’ — something like that.

"I don’t know why he said that because my comments throughout have been respectful and I said nothing.

"It’s up to him what he wants to say after the game.

"They deserved the victories so we should just have shaken hands and moved on."