STEVIE: LONG WAY TO GO
Hoops still have three games in hand but Gerrard’s side are showing no sign of letting up after 11 successive league wins.
The Ibrox gaffer is taking nothing for granted though and said: “We’re very pleased p with our form, with the th run we’re on in the league. le With 19 games gone, to return 53 points is a really good effort.
“But it’s halfway and there’s th a lot of football to be b played, a lot of games, a lot lo of twists and turns.”
Goals from Kemar Roofe, R Glen Kamara and Ianis Ia Hagi got the job done at a McDiarmid Park.
Hagi and Joe Aribo came c back into the starting line-up li and both played key k roles, with the Nigerian setting up Kamara’s goal with a sublime pass.
Gerrard said: “The first goal comes from Ianis letting our first shot go.
“One thing Ianis will do in this team is try through passes, he’ll take risks. He doesn’t mind making mistakes and we don’t so long as he’s trying to do the right thing.
“He unleashes a shot and Kemar shows real predatory instincts and gets us off the mark.
“I thought Aribo really flexed his muscles and showed he’s back.
“He’s had a tough start to the season with a big injury – probably the first of his career – and then a bit of an illness which held him back.
“He’s gone through the gears in the last three or four weeks and looks close to being back to his best.
“The through ball, the weight, to see it with the vision. Normally Glen Kamara tries to check back and pass that but he wiped his nose and finished it.”
Gerrard took Kamara off at half-time in the weekend win over Motherwell as Gers trailed 1-0.
And the Rangers boss said: “I’m pleased for Glen because he could have felt sorry for himself after the weekend but I thought he was outstanding all night.”
Rangers now turn their attention to Boxing Day and a clash with in-form Hibs at Ibrox.
Gerrard said: “The important thing for me is to keep these players focused on the next challenge and that will be tough because it’s against a good team in Hibs.
“Well the first challenge is actually to keep people fit and healthy, in a good place and in good form.
“This is a different situation with Covid so we need to guard against anything that can come our way.
“But if we keep everyone fit and fresh we’re a good team and we’ll win football matches. That’s the challenge for me, just go game to game. Don’t get too ahead of ourselves and stay balanced.”
St Johnstone’s misery was complete when sub Michael O’Halloran was sent off for two quickfire yellow cards.
And manager Callum Davidson has told the Saints sinner that he has to earn his trust again.
It’s his second red this season and Davidson said: “Michael is an experienced player and he was already booked so I am really disappointed. He has to earn my trust to play again.
“Would you say it was over exuberance, he is nearly 30 and knows what you need to do in the game. If you have been booked then don’t give the referee the opportunity to give you another one, unless it is the last minute or a last-ditch tackle.
“But that was on the halfway line – their player wasn’t going anywhere.
“It isn’t this game where it costs us, it will be the next one which is important.”