Stevie’s made of stern stuff ... so back him
Social media has much to answer for when it comes to some of the nonsense that is being spouted these days.
I see lots of people who are clever and understand the game, but also a helluva lot of people who simply don’t have a clue.
Even from a distance, I can sniff out the rubbish.
Like the suggestion he’s lost the players.
Absolute rubbish. Honestly, I don’t have to speak to him to know that’s wrong, hopelessly wrong.
I watched how Rangers played against Braga in the last round of the Europa League and I could see a team that has got every ounce of belief in what the boss is doing. They have clearly bought into what he wants.
They have reached the last 16 for the first time since 2011 – and gone further than Celtic, who played weaker opposition – because Steven has got them playing the right way and sticking together.
I’m not defending him because we were team-mates. I’m arguing that there is no perspective any more.
OK, he’s spent a bit of money, but, even if they have had a dip in the league of late, this is a far more competitive Rangers team than they’ve had for so many years. The performances in Europe have been outstanding – and maybe they are paying the penalty for that a little in the league. I also think they have not been done any favours by the winter break.
Honestly, I know Steven will be hurting by that loss at home to Hamilton and the cup defeat by Hearts. He’s a passionate lad, he wears his heart on his sleeve all the time and you know what you get with him.
Any players not delivering, he’ll come out and say it. And I’ll back him 100 per cent in that.
I’m sure he will get it right, but managers have certain periods when they’re under pressure and it’s not going the right way.
Sometimes you have to grit your teeth and get through.
Those are the times you need to support the manager, back what he’s doing and believe in what he can achieve.
Every successful manager has needed that support at some time. And, again, it’s about perspective. I know that from my own experience. My team in Brisbane has been constantly criticised for being a team that “only defends”, but we have had more passes in the opposition half than any other team in the league!
Certain people have agendas and they will never waste an opportunity to stick the knife in.
In Scotland, I know there are plenty of agendas – and Steven knows that, too. There are a lot of people who want to see a name like him fail.
If Stevie wins two more games, then he’ll have more points and be in a better position than the Rangers team in the two seasons before he arrived at the club. So there’s progress. They have a glamorous tie in Europe, too, against Bayer Leverkusen. So he’s doing something right. And you can’t question the commitment and desire. I speak to Steven from
time to time about management, about football, about our lives after hanging up the boots. And I know for a fact we are the same – we both want to get to the top in our new careers. And I have no doubt he will do that, eventually. Rangers fans should have no doubt, either.