GREZDA READY TO GLOW
Gerrard told me when I was ready he would give me minutes EROS GREZDA
EROS GREZDA is pushing for a first Rangers start this weekend after getting the go-ahead from boss Steven Gerrard to line up for Albania. The £2million signing from Osijek completed a first 90 minutes in six months in his country’s 2-0 Nations League defeat to Israel on Sunday. It’s been a frustrating time for Grezda who has played just 53 minutes in two substitute appearances against Ayr and Dundee while he works his way back from ankle surgery. But the 23-year-old winger’s been encouraged by the backing of Gers manager Gerrard at international level, which he also hopes means he’ll get the chance to star against Hamilton on Sunday. Grezda said: “I talked to Gerrard before I came and he told me that, if you’re ready, then we’ll decide if I’m ready to start from the first minute. “It’s been difficult as the other (Rangers) players had developed through the pre-season stage, while I only signed up in the end (of transfer window). Gerrard told me that when I was ready he would give me minutes. “It’s normal I’m not in my best shape. It was my first 90 minutes after six months and it was difficult for me to find space because they covered me.”
While Grezda may still be short on fitness he’s happy to be stepping up his recovery from such a long lay-off after also managing 45 minutes in a friendly against Jordan last midweek in preparation for the Israel contest.
But his first full outing ended in bitter disappointment as Albania lost in Beer Sheva which has virtually ended their qualification hopes ahead of Scotland’s visit next month.
He said: “It’s a bad feeling because we did not deserve to lose. In the second half we changed our gameplan because Israel figured it out a bit. We had plenty of chances but did not manage to use them.”
While Grezda is focused on game time at Rangers, Northern Ireland icon Gerry Armstrong has warned Kyle Lafferty to sort his head out to salvage his international career.
But the 1982 World Cup hero fears the Ibrox striker’s 11th-hour withdrawal from the Nations League squad could be the final straw for boss Michael O’Neill. Armstrong said: “He is our best striker when he is fit and available. I know Kyle, there is something not right there. But Michael could be running out of patience with him. You can’t persevere with people who continually let you down. Kyle needs to wise up and stop being stupid. He has to sort his head out.”