GERRARD FURY AT RACE HATE SICKOS -
Ibrox boss was happy with Scots win but isn’t backing them against Three Lions
STEVEN GERRARD won 114 caps for England. Many of them as captain.
So he’s hardly going to turn into Stevie McG just because Scotland have qualified for the Euros.
But yesterday, as he counted back in his players who had been scattered across the globe on international duty, the Rangers manager reserved a particularly warm welcome for Ryan Jack, who played such a big part in ending this country’s 22-year exile from the big tournaments.
Gerrard knows a thing or two about playing in the middle of the park and he watched every minute of Jack’s performances over the past week.
He was delighted with what he saw and with the result against Serbia that had an entire nation celebrating. And yes, he was too.
“Being up here, and really involved in Scottish football now, to see the country back in a major tournament, it was fantastic to watch the celebrations,” he said.
“I want to congratulate Steve (Clarke), his staff and all the players involved as it was a magnificent achievement. It was no surprise to see Ryan play so well. He has been very consistent since we came in here at Rangers.
“The way he applies himself and the way he goes about his daily work, it’s no surprise to see him in top form and producing the goods at international level. I was proud of his performance.”
Jack relished his role in the historic night and the midfielder said: “We stuck to what we believed in. That feeling we had – as a player you want to have that as many times as you can in your career. It was a special night.”
Gerrard might now have a fondness for Scotland but that won’t extend to the clash with England at Wembley on June 18.
Asked how long he’ ll be supporting Scotland, he smiled: “Soon as the whistle goes...”
He insists he will manage Jack and fellow Scotland squad member Jon McLaughlin carefully to give them the best possible chance of making Clarke’s squad but admits Rangers’ needs must come first.
That’s particularly relevant in McLaughlin’s case, as the keeper has spent most recent weeks on the bench with Allan McGregor between the sticks.
Gerrard insists, though, that
McLaughlin WILL get game time.
He added: “It’s not my job to help Scotland! We rate Jon highly.
“We’ve got two top-class No.1 keepers here and I’ll make the best decisions for Rangers but I will remain in communication with Steve Clarke. It’s important we manage Ryan and Jon in the best possible way, so I will try to support the national team from that point of view.
“I want both players to go and represent Rangers and I want them to go in good form and in the best place they can be. But that won’t affect my decisions from a domestic point of view.
“I’ve got to get results for
Rangers. I have to manage Ryan in the best possible way for him.
“Jon will get games of football here, for sure, with where Allan’s at in his career. So Jon will play between now and the summer.
“Will that be enough to please Steve? I don’t know – it’s a question you’d have to ask Clarkey.”
With a line drawn under the international scene until March, Gerrard’s team can now fully focus on maintaining their lead at the top of the Premiership and trying to extend their interest in the Europa League.
So the next 180 minutes are vital with Aberdeen in town at noon tomorrow then Benfica arriving on
Thursday with memories of that bittersweet 3-3 draw in Lisbon still fresh in the memory.
All the manager’s attention, for now, is on the Dons and he is expecting a tough challenge.
“Obviously the rivalry speaks for itself,” Gerrard said. “It’s a big game. Both teams are in good form and it’s a game we are really looking forward to.
“It’s a mouth-watering one that we are looking forward to.
“In terms of what we’ll face, it will be similar to past encounters. They’ll be organised and well drilled. They’ll be physical and will carry a goal threat.
“It’s a big game and a challenge for us but we can’t be in a better place ourselves and for me the focus is always ‘ What shape are we in?’
“And we couldn’t be in a better place to face this challenge.”
Gerrard is demanding his players return to the pre-break form that saw them hit Hamilton for eight last time out.
“You can feel around the place that there’s a confidence and a belief about them but it’s always a challenge after a couple of weeks’ break,” the Ibrox boss added.
“Even when you’re in top form, the challenge is, ‘Can you find that rhythm as quick as you can?’
“We’re going to have to put a lot into the game to get the result we want.
“But it’s a game we are very excited about and then very quickly after that, from a European point of view, we are hoping we can provide a performance that makes Thursday night pivotal in terms of qualification.
“Two major tests for us over the course of the week but the first aim is to try to get a positive result from Aberdeen that will hopefully take us into the Benfica game in a good place.”