Steven Gerrard reacts after lighter thrown at Rangers star

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard says it is about time the penny dropped with supporters after Scottish football suffered its latest missile-throwing shame.

After a campaign that has been dogged by objects raining down from the stands as well as pitch invasions and offensive chants, the Ibrox manager admits he is fed up discussing unsavoury antics on the terraces.

Light Blues captain James Tavernier became the latest player to be targeted by louts when he had to dodge a lighter thrown from the home support during the Light Blues’ clash with Motherwell at Fir Park.

Rangers defender James Tavernier hands a lighter to referee Nick Walsh after it was thrown from the crowd. Picture: SNS

Referee Nick Walsh was forced to stop the action after Tavernier was as he ran over to the far touchline to take a throw-in.

The official took action to douse the first-half flashpoint when he called in police and stewards to surround the section housing the home side’s ultras group.

The incident did not deter Gerrard’s side as they claimed the win thanks to Scott Arfield’s first career hat-trick but the Rangers boss confessed he was frustrated seeing his team’s display once again overshadowed by the behaviour of fans.

“It’s a sad thing to see in this league but there’s a lot of it going on and there’s a lot of other sad stuff that’s going on in world football,” he said.

“It seems like we’re trying to send messages out every time we speak to the media, which is a shame.

“It’s dangerous for the players when there are objects thrown on to the pitch, whether it be a lighter or whatever it may be. It needs to stop.”