BlueMeanie
Well-Known Member
STEVEN GERRARD claimed his heart was pounding and his pulse was racing.
The Rangers boss quipped that a repeat of the nerve-shredding drama in Antwerp might lead to him “going in an early casket”.
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Rangers boss Steven Gerrard
You’d never have known he was feeling the stress.
He looked the calmest man in the Bosuilstadion on Thursday night. He’s been cool and composed all week.
That’s a week which has seen him lose FIVE players from his first-team squad.
One which saw police punish some of his stars for breaching lockdown laws.
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Rangers skipper James Tavernier
One which saw his captain — a contender for Footballer of the Year — floored by a potentially season-ending knee injury.
And one which saw one of his top strikers suffer a recurrence of a calf problem which will see him miss some big games.
Some bosses might indeed have endured palpitations at the issues surrounding Bongani Zungu, Nathan Patterson, Calvin Bassey, James Tavernier and Kemar Roofe.
Not to mention the VAR controversies and dodgy defending in Belgium.
But Gerrard has displayed a real ability to detach himself from peripheral problems and focus on the matter in hand.
Namely winning the Premiership title.
Some bosses park the bus. But Gerrard seems able to park issues which he can’t really influence and concentrate only on things he can.
Whereas all the headlines have revolved around the weekend revellers and the crocked stars, the manager is thinking only of the players he DOES have available.
For a relatively inexperienced boss, it’s a mature and sensible way of coping.
He could easily have been consumed by the Covidiots — Zungu, Patterson, Bassey, together with kids Dapo Mebude and Brian Kinnear.
He could just as easily have descended into a pit of despair when Tavernier and Roofe hobbled out of the first half of that amazing 4-3 Europa League first-leg victory over Royal Antwerp.
But he just shrugged off the issues and refused to be derailed.
Zungu, Patterson and Bassey weren’t missed in Belgium.
Even when Tav went off, Gerrard just sent on Leon Balogun and the sub went about his business with minimum fuss.
When Roofe was hurt, the manager threw on Ryan Kent to make a stunning impact with a solo goal and have a big hand in the late penalty winner.
Gerrard and his backroom team didn’t allow the problems to consume them.
I’ve heard the manager use the phrase “park their ego” when discussing what players need to do to impress him.
He doesn’t like youngsters who swagger around the place and think they’ve made it. He prefers a humble approach from everyone at Rangers.
The ones who understand and get what is at stake this season have the winning post in sight and won’t allow ANYTHING to divert their gaze from it.
They recognise the size of the prize.
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Gerrard faces the mediaCredit: Getty Images - Getty
They could clinch the championship at the home of their biggest rivals next month — maybe even getting a guard of honour in the process.
That would be better than any Saturday night up the West End. It would be more significant than any short-term injury blow.
Gerrard deserves praise for putting the events of this week into perspective. For me, Zungu won’t be seen again in a Rangers jersey.
Those five players were guilty of idiotic behaviour and they need to grow up.
They’d seen team-mates Jordan Jones and George Edmundson banished after their own Covid breach yet they still emptied their heads and got together.
I’m not having the “young boys” argument either as there are seven-year-olds in this country who know the lockdown laws off by heart.
Patterson must have had his head in his hands when he saw Tavernier limp off.
He could have been involved in a title run-in and the latter stages in Europe.
Now he’s facing a ban from the SFA, a row from Nicola Sturgeon and the wrath of his boss.
Yes, Tavernier’s injury is a blow to Rangers. His goals and assists have been priceless this season.
His contribution has been massive and his confidence would have been sky-high.
But Gerrard knows the important players are the ones available for selection against Dundee United.
Roofe would have been suspended for that game anyway and his latest calf injury is a worry.
But if gets to the bottom of the issue, he could be like a new signing for Gers next season if he can get a proper pre-season under his belt.
Given all these issues, Gerrard could have felt sorry for himself. Instead, I’m sure he was straight back to work planning the downfall of United.
Looking back on the moments which cost Gers goals on Thursday would have been at the top of his agenda.
He’ll have devoted hours to preparing his players for United with the same attention that’s seen Rangers move 15 points clear at the top of the table.
His ability to avoid distractions and focus on the big goal is commendable.
But if he thinks his heart was pounding on Thursday night, just wait till he’s 90 minutes from delivering the title.
