Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
The day I quit on the title is the day I’ll SAY GOODBYE
GERRARD SCOFFS AT TALK HE’S GIVEN UP ON GERS’ LEAGUE BID
STEVEN GERRARD insists he would walk away as Rangers boss before throwing in the towel in the title race.
The Ibrox boss saw his side fall 10 points behind eight-in-a-row champions and bitter rivals Celtic following a
2-1 defeat at Kilmarnock.
Gerrard’s side have dropped eight points in just six league games since returning from the winter break after losing just five in 19 fixtures in the first half of the season.
The 39-year-old admitted the pressure is now on as he looks to avoid a second trophyless season.
Gers, who face a Europa League last-32 tie against against Braga and a Scottish Cup quarterfinal trip to Hearts this month, still have a game in hand over the Hoops.
And they can cut the gap at the top to seven points with a win over Livingston at Ibrox today before Neil Lennon’s side travel to Pittodrie for tomorrow’s lunchtime kick off against Aberdeen.
The former Liverpool skipper said: “If I concede something while this badge is on my chest, I will take it off and I will walk out and get in my car. It is as simple as that. “Setbacks as a player always gave me an opportunity to react, improve and prove people wrong. I expect my players to do the same. As a manager, it makes me even more determined.
“If I go on a running of winning six, I will still be as hungry as if I have a run of six that are indifferent. I have always been hungry for it.
“The message to the fans is – I’m on it and I’m going to do everything I can to make them smiling and happy again. I totally understand how the fans are feeling and where they’re at right now.
“But football changes extremely quickly and I believe that us as a group – players and staff – can make the supporters happy in the short, medium or long term and when we do get that, it will feel nice.
“I said to the players that our fans never pick and choose. They are there wind, rain, hail, snow, Austria, Russia, Dubai.
“We have progressed. The players at times this season have overachieved and have surprised us at times. Progression is good, it is positive, but sometimes it is not enough.
“Is that harsh? No. That’s the reality. That’s what I just have to live with.”