STEVEN GERRARD has laughed off suggestions that Rangers kit man Jimmy Bell was the driving force behind the postponement of their Scottish Cup tie with Cowdenbeath on Friday night.

The Central Park clash was called off just hours before kick-off after areas of the pitch were deemed unsafe by local referee Scott Miller following an inspection.

Cowdenbeath were upset at the decision after laying covers on the surface to try and stave off the freezing temperatures ahead of the fourth round fixture.

Blue Brazil boss Gary Bollan and chairman Donald Findlay were both critical of the call to cancel the match, which will now be played on Wednesday, January 30.

But Gerrard has played down the role of kit man Bell after he inadvertently found himself at the centre of the controversy in the hours after the postponement.

He said: "I never got to the stadium. We got to the hotel for the pre-match meal. I didn't see the pitch so it's difficult to comment on.

"We respect the decision. We respect Cowdenbeath for trying everything they could to get the game on.

"Let's hope it goes ahead at the later date. It was a shame because we wanted to play.

"Jimmy actually wanted the game on. He was thinking he'd have to carry all the kit back in ten days' time.

"It was Jimmy's car on the pitch with the engine on trying to thaw the bit of ice out! That's what Jimmy tells me.

"I don't think Jimmy is capable of getting a game called off. He is more concerned that he's got to work an extra night!

"I don't think Jimmy had anything to do with it but he does like getting his picture in the paper so that might be what he's tried to do."