McCrorie hopes his shows in central midfield will impress new Ibrox boss
GARY RALSTON
ROSS McCRORIE towered above the Aberdeen defence and now hopes to rise to the challenges set by Steven Gerrard.
The Rangers kid may be suspended for the game against Hibs on Sunday but hopes to have done enough to impress his new boss at Ibrox.
The Scotland Under-21 starlet kept his side in the hunt for second place with a nodded equaliser at Pittodrie in a match beamed live across the UK on Sky Sports and watched on the box by Gerrard.
Rangers could finish best of the rest with a victory at Easter Road but they’re also relying on Celtic defeating Aberdeen in the title party at Parkhead.
McCrorie, 20, is already beginning to see the bigger picture as he looks to continue the development of his career under the guidance of one of the best midfielders of his generation.
He said: “I have played centre midfield for the last two games so hopefully I have done a good job and impressed the new manager. He played in g.ralston@dailyrecord.co.uk midfield so he can pass on his experiences and help my game but I will play wherever he wants me to and we’ll see what happens.
“The arrival of a new manager is a motivation for everyone to show they are worthy of a place next season.
“However, this is Rangers and everyone should be motivated to win every game anyway. “We are Rangers. We go into every game to win it. It doesn’t change the mindset.
“I try to do my best for the team in every game and I am sure that’s the same for every other player.”
McCrorie’s second-half header on Tuesday night was his second goal of the season and it ensured Rangers would go through the league season undefeated against the Dons.
However, Derek McInnes’s side still hold a one-point advantage which underlines the failure of Rangers to win games against sides they were expected to defeat more comfortably.
The emergence of McCrorie has been a bright spot at least but recent heavy losses against Celtic in the league and cup were a sobering experience, particularly his red card when playing as a central defender in the 4-0 defeat at Hampden.
Stand-in boss Jimmy Nicholl took him out the firing line, bringing him on from the bench in midfield for the 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock at the weekend.
McCrorie added: “You are going to have ups and downs in your career and Jimmy was protecting me.
“He took me to the side but the words of advice he gave will remain private.
“The aim for the team going into the split was to finish second and that remains the case.
“On Sunday we will need to go out all guns blazing at Easter Road and hopefully take three points, although we accept we are also relying on other results to go our way. Monday night. Next stop for Gerrard and McAllister is Dubai where on Sunday they will be part of a meet and greet with Liverpool fans at a live screening of the Reds’ last league game this season against Brighton.
They will be joined by former team-mate Steve McManaman as part of the club’s LFC World promotion – an initiative aimed at growing Liverpool’s brand.
The glitzy beachfront bash was one of the major longstanding commitments that prevented Gerrard taking the Rangers reins until the start of pre-season.
But the quick return over the border following last Friday’s unveiling suggests his mind is already focused on the task that awaits him.
Record Sport understands the 37-year-old is already searching for a new home in the city. But his wife and kids are likely to remain permanently based at the family’s Merseyside mansion while he’s busy cutting his teeth in management.