Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke insists he will have no qualms about upsetting fellow managers in his quest for disciplinary consistency as he responded to a "personal" rebuke from Rangers counterpart Steven Gerrard.
Following Rangers' 4-0 win over St Mirren at Ibrox last week in which the home side were awarded four penalties – the most contentious being when striker Jermain Defoe went to ground easily as Saints defender Paul McGinn closed in – Clarke called again for uniformity.
He highlighted the fact that his player Jordan Jones – who will join the Light Blues in the summer – was suspended for two games earlier in the season for going to ground too easily and hoped that compliance officer Clare Whyte "will do her job", although Defoe faced no action.
Gerrard responded by saying: "It's got absolutely nothing to do with Steve Clarke or Kilmarnock.
"We didn't punish Jordan Jones, we didn't give the Kilmarnock player a two-game ban, so why he's trying to get one of my players banned is a surprise and a disappointment."
Ahead of the William Hill Scottish Cup tie between the two teams at Rugby Park on Saturday, Clarke said: "I am a little disappointed that Steven came back more personal than I had made the original comments.
"I made a wide-ranging amount of comments about consistency and I have been consistent in asking for consistency since August.
"I mentioned that one of our players and another player – I never mentioned the name – was involved in a similar incident and I just asked for consistency of process.
"If asking for that consistency I have to upset a fellow manager or another club, that's what I have to do because that's my job.
"So why Steven chose to come back personally, I'm not so sure."
Gerrard had also stated his surprise at Clarke's comments "because that's not the type of guy I know Steve Clarke for. He is usually first class."
The former West Brom boss said: "Class is subjective. I am 55 years of age.
"I have no worries about how I live my life personally or professionally. So that doesn't bother me."
Asked if he was satisfied with Whyte's action or lack of action, Clarke said: "I don't think the outcome is consistent. I can only ask and will continue to ask.
"What I will try and do between now and the end of the season will lay off a little bit because anybody who wants to understand the point I am trying to make will already understand it, anyone who doesn't understand the point I will try to make will never understand."
Clarke hopes his Killie players will take added belief from the 2-1 win over Rangers in the Ladbrokes Premiership at Rugby Park last month.
He said: "It is always nice when you have had a recent victory over one of your big opponents.
"Obviously it was a good day for us because we won the game but it will be a tough challenge for both teams."
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