Covid protocols really tested us to the max.. but it showed the strength of us as a club, that we could deal with adversity

Gerrard is proud of Gers’ stand-out stand-ins

STEVEN GERRARD was forced to join the ranks of the Living Room Loyal for last month’s Old Firm victory.

But the Ibrox boss reckons he’s never seen Rangers looking more together than they did as his Covid-hit side claimed victory over Celtic in this season’s opening derby clash.

Gerrard was self-isolating for the showdown with Ange Postecoglou’s new-look Hoops after testing positive.

Skipper James Tavernier and his right-back deputy Nathan Patterson were also ruled out, along with keepers Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin, after the virus swept through the Ibrox dressing room.

The patched-up champions threw together a side, with stopper Leon Balogun taking over Tavernier’s position and rookie goalie Robby McCrorie called in.

In the dugout, it was left to Gary McAllister and Michael Beale to run the show.

And Gerrard could not have been prouder of the show of unity that produced a 1-0 triumph.

He said: “You’ve no choice but to cope. It’s not something I ever want to experience again.

“I came here to manage from the sideline. I feel like I can be a bigger help from the sideline.

“I could still contribute in terms of preparation, picking the team and making decisions. But to do that remotely can be frustrating.

“For me, the most pleasing thing – and what made me most proud – was how we all stuck together during challenging times.

“It wasn’t just me who was missing, it was a few other staff members and some players were ruled out as well. We were really tested to the maximum.

“Michael and Gary stepped forward tremendously well and the players followed.

“From the outside looking in, it showed the strength of us as a club, that we could deal with adversity and, when we were pushed to the maximum, we coped extremely well.”

McCrorie certainly handled the big occasion with a calm well beyond his 23 years.

Twice faced with Celtic’s red-hot hitman Kyogo Furuhashi bearing down on his goal, the former Scotland Under-21 international refused to blink as he pulled off a pair of vital stops.

It was a display 39-year-old McGregor would have been proud of and Gerrard is confident it will not be the last time the youngster finds himself in the heat of the Old Firm fight.

He said: “Robby’s always been in my thoughts. We’ve always had a plan for him and that’s not just in the last two weeks.

“The reason we’ve sent Robby out on loan and tried to build those loans up, in terms of the level and standards, is to prepare him to one day be one of Rangers’ two goalkeepers.

“We think he’s got the potential to one day be a Rangers No.1. And even more, in the short term when Allan moves on, to be one of our main goalkeepers. Robby and his people know our plan. He was outstanding over a couple of weeks but those performances have come on the back of how he returned on day one.

“He’s come back in fantastic shape, trained well, seems to have a bit more maturity about how he goes about his work.

“I’d have no doubts about using him again at any given time.”

It was another week of ups and downs for Patterson, though.

Having sat out not just the Celtic clash but also Scotland’s defeat by Denmark because of his quarantine requirements, the 19-year-old cast off his Covid shackles to make a first Scotland start against Moldova.

There was no follow-up in Vienna after a knock sustained at Hampden cost him his seat on the plane to Austria.

Gerrard said: “Don’t worry about Nathan’s development because he’s up against Ryan Kent most days and he’s got forwards like Jermain Defoe, Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos who are challenging him every minute of every training session.

“Nathan will come through and be the No.1 right-back here at Rangers when the time is right.”