ROSS HAPPY TO BE STEVIE’S MIDDLE MAN
ROSS McCRORIE hopes the arrival of Steven Gerrard at Ibrox can help take his game to the next level – no matter which position he plays in next season.
The 20-year-old started in the middle of the park against Aberdeen on Tuesday night and earned Rangers a crucial point with a second-half header.
The goal capped another encouraging performance from McCrorie in what has been an impressive debut campaign for the Light Blues.
McCrorie has been used in defensive and midfield roles over the course of the season and was rewarded with a new long-term deal in December.
The appointment of Gerrard has given everyone at Ibrox a shot in the arm ahead of his start in a couple of weeks and McCrorie is eager to catch the eye of the Liverpool legend.
He said: “In every game, I go out and try and do my best for the team and I am sure that is the same for every other player. I don’t think that will impact on any of the players. Obviously it is a motivation for everyone to show the new manager coming in that they are
worthy of a place next season.
“As I say, it is Rangers Football Club and everyone should be motivated to go into every game and win.
“I have played centre mid for the last two games and hopefully I have done a good job and impressed him.
“Because he played in midfield he can pass on his experiences and help my game. But I will play wherever he wants me to play and see what happens.”
Meanwhile, James Tavernier praised Light Blues kid McCrorie after he rescued Rangers at Pittodrie.
The 20-year-old earned Jimmy Nicholl’s side a share of the spoils as he won an aerial battle with Scott McKenna and headed beyond keeper Joe Lewis just after the hour mark.
It capped another impressive performance from McCrorie in the middle of the park and captain Tavernier was delighted with his efforts once again.
He said: “He has developed really well into the team. He has been asked a lot to do a job in the centre of midfield and I feel he has done a great job for the team.
“He is always trying to get on the ball, always fighting for the lads in the middle. It was a 50-50 ball in the box and he is fighting for the boys again and got the goal. I am really happy for him.”
The draw with Aberdeen keeps alive Rangers’ ambitions of finishing second in the Premiership going into the final day of the campaign.
McCrorie will miss the clash with Hibernian on Sunday through suspension and Tavernier knows there is plenty at stake at Easter Road.
He said: “We have got to recover right, prepare well, and we have got to go again. We have to be better in the first half when we play Hibs and we know it will be a tough game. But we are going there to get the three points.”