Gerrard gains first win holding Rangers reins
Liverpool legend Steven
Gerrard praised his
Rangers players after they delivered him his first victory as manager in the Scottish Premiership, but warned them to improve their discipline following Sunday’s 2-0 triumph over St. Mirren.
Gerrard’s side showed great resolve to take the three points as Ross McCrorie got a straight red card just after the half-hour mark for a professional foul on Nicolai Brock-Madsen.
However, Rangers were already 2-0 up when McCrorie was sent off.
Alfredo Morelos, who was sent off the previous weekend but subsequently had the red card reduced to a yellow, notched his third goal of the season before centerback Connor Goldson gave Rangers a two-goal advantage.
“I’ve spoken to the team and praised them for the result, but I’ve also spoken about discipline and composure out there,” said Gerrard, whose side opened with a 1-1 draw at Aberdeen last weekend and is two points off pacesetters Hearts after two matches.
“It’s difficult enough with 11 men. We’re picking up too many red and yellow cards for my liking. But we’ll learn, grow and keep going.”
Rangers’ last top-flight title was in 2011 and they will be encouraged by the early struggles of bitter Glasgow rival Celtic, whose manager Brendan Rodgers quashed suggestions he could walk away from the champion due to disagreements with the club’s board over transfer spending following a 1-0 loss at Hearts on Saturday.
Rodgers has masterminded two consecutive domestic trebles since joining Celtic, but publicly voiced his frustration at not adding to his squad before a 1-1 draw at home to AEK Athens in the Champions League third qualifying round in midweek.
“Of course we want quality players but there’s still improvement in this squad,” said Rodgers, who coached Gerrard at Liverpool.
“I love my life here. There’s talk of ultimatums with the board, I don’t work that way. My communication is very open.”