CLEAR BLUE WATER NOW FOR GERS
SAM BAGGS A BOOST DESPITE POINTLESS DISPLAY
Fernandes
SAM JOHNSTONE said West Brom can take heart from their performance at Manchester United – in spite of leaving Old Trafford with nothing.
Johnstone’s heroics in goal for the Baggies, against his former club, could not save them from defeat despite a spirited display from Slaven Bilic’s side. Former United keeper Johnstone made a string of fine saves, including a penalty stop from Bruno Fernandes, before being beaten at the second attempt.
Despite losing, Johnstone said d Bilic’s side can take encouragement from the way they played, despite still being without a win in the league.
“We played well,” said Johnstone. “The lads are gutted. d We were under pressure for some of the game, but still created good chances. I made a few saves and to not even get a point is really frusfrustrating, but hopefully we can tatake the work-rate from the Tottenham game and tonight and then hopefully the results start swaying our way. “We rode our look at times, but hit the crossbar, had a couple of good chances and a point would have been fair.”
STEVEN GERRARD says his Rangers side is in a “fantastic place” after racing 11 points clear of champions Celtic.
The Gers romped to a 4-0 Ibrox victory over thirdplaced Aberdeen.
Boss Gerrard said: “We can’t get carried away as there are a lot of challenges to come but I would much rather be where we are. We are in a fantastic place.”
Ryan Kent (above) struck first with a deflected longrange strike before Kemar Roofe doubled the lead.
Early in the second period Scott Arfield saw his shot go in off Shay Logan before James Tavernier converted a penalty.
Celtic have two games in hand but needed a Diego Laxalt stoppage-time strike to salvage a point with a 2-2 draw at Hibernian.