Boss: We’re moving in the right direction
this game because we’ve just lost but we are together 12, 14 weeks, we have met a lot of hurdles and challenges the players have given me absolutely everything so I can’t be too critical of them.
“We played against a team today that has been together for two years but even prior to that they have a lot more experience than this group we are working with.
“They know how to win, we know they are a good team, we know they will have periods of possession, but I saw enough today to feel that if we can get bodies back and get new signings up to speed I believe we can be a match for Celtic, certainly in the next fixture.
“I think Rangers have been blown away in previous derby games, we have been annihilated with scorelines which are not acceptable.
“I’m not saying 1-0 is acceptable but I’ve seen enough today that we are working in the right direction and I’ve seen enough that with some more improvement and training time on the field, drilling them and improving them, I believe we are moving in the right direction.”
Rangers warmed up for the trip to Parkhead by battling to a draw in Russia on Thursday night as they overcame Ufa to clinch a remarkable play-off round victory.
It was far from ideal preparation for the biggest game of Gerrard’s managerial career but the Liverpool legend offered no excuses.
Gerrard said: “It’s difficult to say. I could sit here and make excuses but at the end of the day I’m not one to use excuses.
“They played Thursday night as well, of course we were miles and miles away but we actually finished the game really strong and in a decent place, with energy and making passes and getting round the sides.
“It would be cheap for me to say it was because of Thursday night but of course going into these games you would prefer the full week to drill and work on it and 48 hours was not enough, one session was not enough.”
Rangers will head into the break seventh in the top flight after the first four league encounters this term.
The Gers have beaten St Mirren and drawn with Aberdeen and Motherwell so far in the Premiership, while Kilmarnock were also seen off to progress to the Betfred Cup quarter-finals.
Gerrard said: “I think, in the main, it’s disappointing if you just think five out of 12 – for a club like Rangers, that’s disappointing.
“But, if you look at the fixtures and what we had to face as a brand new staff, a brand new group of players…”