Gerrard happy for late goal to go in Rangers’ favour this time around

STEVEN Gerrard admits he was relieved to see the lastgasp luck go in Rangers’ favour for once as they avoided an opening day slipup against Kilmarnock.

Gerrard claimed this week his side would have walked away with the Ladbrokes Premiership title last term had games lasted only 86 minutes after seeing his side slip up late against Aberdeen, Motherwell, Hibernian, Celtic and Sunday’s opponents.

However, he was relieved to see his team keep their focus for the regulation 90 at Rugby Park as Connor Goldson pounced in the final seconds to snatch the points with a 2-1 win.

Scott Arfield had prodded the Light Blues ahead early but in a repeat of last season’s struggles, they paid the price for failing to build on their lead and were pegged back by Stephen O’Donnell’s strike with just eight minutes left.

However, Gerrard was glad to see his side prevail in the end as Goldson crashed home a dramatic header.

He said: “We did concede too many goals in the final stages of games last season.

“I remember in the first couple of away fixtures we lost one late on at Aberdeen and then conceded a late set-piece at Motherwell.

“I understand that happens from time to time but, if it happens too often you need to learn from it.

“This time it has gone our way and I’m pleased with the outcome. I thought it would have been cruel if we hadn’t come away with maximum points.

“Kilmarnock took 10 points from us last season so it was important to win, whatever way we did it.

“Sometimes you have to show a different side. Sometimes it is not all pretty and nice. Sometimes you just have to get over the line and win ugly and Connor has come big for us at the end.”

Connor Goldson celebrates his last-gasp winner.