By Sheryl Ritchie
Like most managers, Steven Gerrard never likes to dwell too much on past results or performances for too long but, there was an air of déjà vu at Ibrox today as Rangers stumbled to another 1-1 draw in a game that could and should have been out of sight by half time. Yes, post-match today felt decidedly ‘Motherwell-like’ as Rangers repeatedly failed to put the match to bed after taking a deserved lead, in a game they were dominating only to concede a late equaliser. Speaking after the match, Gerrard cut a similar, bemused figure to that day as he lamented the chances his team had squandered in front of another capacity crowd at Ibrox.
‘It’s very similar (to the Motherwell game) and I’m frustrated because we’ve created enough chances to win more than one football match today. For 45 minutes we were outstanding and it’s the type of performance we keep searching for but, unfortunately it’s only been for 45 minutes.’
Possibly a little harsh, considering Rangers created some of their best openings in the second period, most notably when substitute Kemar Roofe was one-on-one with Craig Gordon before the Jamaica striker, fresh from a debut International goal squared, only to see Alfredo Morelos inexplicably steer the ball wide from two yards with the goal gaping. Gerrard was adamant however.
‘The performance was really good, we played with control we played with style but we need to find that first half performance for longer. That control and dynamic, we should be talking about three points today instead of one but consistency wise, we still have levels to go to.’
He also refused to point the finger solely at his shot shy forwards or Morelos in particular, in a period which has seen Rangers score only two goals from over 50 attempts in both home draws. In fact Rangers have scored only 15 goals in 9 league games this season but, Gerrard was quick to point at a lack of consistency from his players at both ends of the pitch.
‘With Alfredo I don’t think he’s at his best right now but, he is still getting into the right areas and I’m sure the goals will come but, it’s about what happens in both boxes. When you play at that level we’ve got to be more ruthless. Second half I don’t think we defended well. We started off in control and Hearts didn’t have a shot on our goal but, as the game wore on we became more passive and didn’t defend our box well enough. It’s a department we need to improve on for sure.’
For everyone at the ground and watching, from various parts of the globe today the frustration is palpable. For many, it’s unclear as to why this group haven’t yet hit the heights of last season, particularly when we are now seeing the players dominate large periods of matches and create chance after chance from the first whistle. What is clear however, the Manager understands the pressure of a Club of Rangers’ size and the need for them to win and win well. Gerrard isn’t above criticism nor is he absolved of any blame when we don’t get the results we all want and, whilst he was honest about Rangers’ failings today, he was keen to offer a degree of calm.
‘We aren’t even a third of the way through yet. Nothing was won after 9 games last year either and we have a ton of football to play. Whenever you don’t win a game here it’s always a crisis on the outside but I need to remain balanced. We know we have the talent and ability here and maybe we just need 2 or 3 of them to get that extra yard of sharpness and quality. If I’m frustrated and disappointed now whilst we are top of the league it’s not a bad place to be is it?’
Not a bad place to be at all and at a time when the Club and it’s supporters took another (ridiculous) kicking this week, it was great to see the fans stick with the team, and with each other, as the magnificent ‘Four Lads Had a Dream’ was belted out from just shy of fifty thousand punters inside Ibrox a few minutes before kick-off. A truly magnificent spectacle and a clear message from both the Club and The Fans that they won’t be bullied by those who wish to harm us.
Lee Clark
