A BUNCH OF FIVES
Roofe reveals ruthlessness in this Rangers squad so strong even training games are must-win
The striker netted his fifth league goal of the season with the second in the 4-0 rout over Aberdeen at Ibrox to move the Light Blues 11 points clear of Celtic at the top of the Premiership.
Roofe is starting to find top gear following his £4.5million summer move from Anderlecht but promised Gers fans there’s still plenty more to come.
And the 27-year-old lifted the lid on the hunger and desire within Steven Gerrard’s squad as they look to end the club’s decade-long wait for major silverware.
Roofe said: “We keep pushing each other at the training ground.
“It’s very competitive at the training ground. Nobody wants to lose our five-a-side games and we take that into the matches as well.
“We look forward to every game now because every one we want to win and we see ourselves being able to if we put 100 per cent into it and we aim to do that every time.”
The former Leeds frontman admitted it’s a joy to play in Gerrard’s free-flowing side with Ryan Kent scoring a stunning opener and Roofe adding a second before the break. Then Scott Arfield and James Tavernier, from the penalty spot, completed the rout.
And Roofe said his goal, started by a superb Connor Goldson pass, was straight off the training ground and the meticulous work of Gerrard and his coaching staff.
He told Rangers TV: “We watch video clips daily and work in training on trying to improve the kind of link-up play that resulted in my goal.
“It’s enjoyable to be part of this team because we have a lot of possession and it’s an attacking formation. We are pushed to attack – we’re told to attack – so it’s nice.
“Knowing you’ve got the support from the coaching staff and players on the pitch and the fact the defence is so strong gives you more confidence to keep going, keep attacking and trying things rather than always playing the safe pass. We just want to keep trying to score goals.
“We’ve been working on moving the ball in the last few weeks. We know we have a lot of possession but it’s what you do with that possession and how quickly you move that ball.
“And you can’t just move it side to side – it has to be penetrating passes. We were up against a tough opposition.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game so you can’t ask for more than to score four goals and keep a clean sheet.”
Roofe reckons he is improving all the time and added: “Every week I’m getting stronger. I’ve still got more to come and I want to keep improving.
“I can still. I’m score the never stand happy to but mostm importantimporta thing is the threeh points. As llong as I can contribute to the points that’s the main thing. Scoring or assisting is a bonus.”
Despite now boasting a double-digit lead at the top the Englishman is taking nothing for granted. He said: “We don’t look at the table – it means nothing until the end of the season. Simple as that.”
Ger ra rd made f i ve substitutions to highlight the strength in depth in his squad and Roofe said: “It’s massively important and if you look at the top teams around Europe they all have big squads with top players.
“There are top players having to sit on the bench and you need to do that these days with the amount of games. “It’s all about rotation and if you’re not playing you need to be ready for the next game and do your
best in training.”
Rangers now take a break from league business with Benfica the visitors to Ibrox on Thursday for a topof-of-the-thtable Europa League Group G D clash. That is followed by a Betfred B Cup last-16 trip to Falkirk Fa then a long journey north no to Dingwall for their next ne Premiership fixture on December De 6 where victory wo would put them 14 points clear clea at the top before Celtic play later that day. Kent K grabbed his first league leag goal since he scored the opener in a 4-0 win over Dun Dundee United two-and-ahalf months ago. And An he was delighted to makek up for an early miss when Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis saved after the striker was clean through. Roofe said: “I was quite annoyed with myself I didn’t manage to put my first chance away. So I managed to make up for that with a good goal.
“As long as I keep getting myself in dangerous areas and adding numbers to the team that’s all I can do.
“We’re building on the chemistry in training every week. There are a number of players who can fill in any position and you can see with the way we play, the fluidity, it’s pleasing on the eye.
“It can be difficult coming back from international breaks. A lot of the boys have had a few games with their countries so to come back and put in a convincing performance and result is positive.”