Gerrard denies 'disgusting' claim

Wallace was stripped of the captaincy following a bust-up with then-manager Graeme Murty after the 4-0 Scottish Cup semi-final hammering at the hands of Celtic last season.

He has only made one appearance since, with one one angry shareholder at the club's general meeting calling the club's actions "disgusting". 

"The treatment we've given to our captain Lee Wallace who has stood by this club for the last three years [...] I think it's disgusting and I'm really disappointed that it's not been resolved and that man's not back in the team," the shareholder said.

Gerrard denied these claims to 'Sky Sports': "As the manager of this club, and I have been since June, I came into [a situation with] Lee Wallace. He was out injured and had missed 12 months of football.

"I have to pay my respects to Lee in terms of his professionalism while he's been injured and the hard work he's put in trying to get match fit."

"At the moment, to be really candid, he's still part of the plans while he's here but I have better options in that position," he said.

"My relationship with Lee is fine. He trains with us every day and he is working very hard to regain his place in the team. That's where that situation is."