STEVEN GERRARD warned Ryan Porteous that talk is cheap yesterday — biting back at the Hibernian defender’s full-time finger-pointing.

The Hibs centre-back was involved in a heated exchange with the Gers boss after supposedly accusing skipper James Tavernier of being a bad loser as the whistle blew on a pulsating 2-2 draw at Easter Road.

He had already been involved in an off-the-ball clash with Alfredo Morelos during the first half before finding his offer of a handshake snubbed by Gerrard and Tavernier as they made their way off the pitch at the end of the 90 minutes.

But Gerrard was in no mood to take lessons in sportsmanship from the Scotland Under-21 international after seeing his side’s seven-game British clean-sheet record ended by Drey Wright’s opener.

The Ibrox boss said: “I think Porteous was saying that Tav’s a bad loser, which I think is a bit cheap coming from him.

“He got sent off for a really bad tackle [on Borna Barisic] when he was losing 3-0 against us here last season.

“Hibs have played their part in a really good game today. We’re not happy with the outcome but there’s no need to panic.

“We’ve got a huge game on Thursday [against Willem II] we need to get ourselves ready for. One thing’s for sure — we’ll need to defend better.”

Porteous decided to keep his thoughts to himself afterwards, saying only: “I’m not bothered about that. What happens on the pitch should probably just stay on the pitch.”

Gers had gone 776 minutes since they last conceded a domestic goal back in March but that run was shattered as Wright fired past Jon McLaughlin.

But Gers responded with an Alfredo Morelos strike right on half-time before adding a second through Scott Arfield as they dominated the second half.

However, a Connor Goldson mistake put the Light Blues under pressure and they paid the price as Christian Doidge bulleted home a header after Martin Boyle swept in a cross from an offside position.

Gers should have snatched a late win but Ofir Marciano pulled off a breathtaking double save to deny Scott Arfield.

They now regain top spot but will worry Celtic — who sit a point back with a game in hand after beating Livingston on Saturday — have grabbed the title initiative.