WE’RE BACK TO GRINNINGWAYS
FROM BACK PAGE for the visit of Leverkusen in the last 16 on Thursday along with Ryan Jack and Jermain Defoe.
But he insists his players are feeling better about themselves after a halftime talk at the Global Energy Stadium sparked a return to winning ways.
Gerrard said: “I’ve been through these phases as a player where it’s just not going for you and there is a lot of noise and criticism.
“You need a moment or a game where you start building it back again and today was a start.
“It’s fantastic we have such a huge game to look forward to. We can smile going down the road and do all our preparation for what will be a really tough match against Leverkusen.
“However, we deserve this opportunity and I want the players to go and play with courage and belief.
“I’m sure they will be feeling better about themselves. We’ve been really open as a group, probably too open at times and it has been tough.
“We needed this victory. The only medicine for a bad period of games or a poor run of form is winning and keeping clean sheets, so this is a start.
“The only negative is that in the last 24 hours we have lost Defoe, Tavernier and Jack to injuries, which isn’t ideal for myself or the group.
“Defoe is definitely out for Thursday and although there is a chance for Jack and Tav, the next couple of days are crucial.”
Kent scored his eighth goal of the season in 77 minutes but barely celebrated his strike after becoming the fall guy for recent poor performances.
He was slated for claiming Rangers are better suited to the Europa League because there is less expectation on them, but earned only praise from Gerrard for his performance against County in Dingwall.
Gerrard said: “I needed more from the front three so I challenged them at half-time for a bit more. Ryan got the winner and that’s good for him.
“I’m pleased he took the challenge on at half-time because some players feel sorry for themselves and others stand up to the challenge – he stood up.
“He’s had some criticism? Haven’t we all. There are two ways to react – shrink and go into your shell, hibernate and hide or put your shoulders back and take it on the chin.
“There are always elements of constructive criticism that are right and you push on and stand up for your team-mates.
“Ryan did that and I’m pleased for him.”
County co-manager Steven Ferguson was left to rue the three chances his side missed shortly after half-time.
He said: “You don’t get many when you play the top teams and we needed to take one of them.
“We were never buying into the idea Rangers were in a huge crisis. They’re full of top-quality players and can really punish you.
“We have to credit Rangers as there was a lot of pressure on them.”