Expectation hangs heavy but Gers will keep calm and carry on
INSISTS RYAN JACK
‘‘ You just have to keep working, there’s no other answer for it
RANGERS After the most difficult week of Gerrard’s reign so far, the ex-Don calls for cool heads
WHAT a difference a week makes. Last Thursday, Rangers had their sights set on a Europa League knockout berth and were dreaming of Betfred Cup glory in a bid to kick-start their Premiership title challenge.
Today, boss Steven Gerrard and his players find themselves questioned and criticised like never before this term after three matches that have left supporters disappointed and deflated.
The draw with Spartak Moscow has proven to be the start of a frustrating run for Gerrard and the defeat to Aberdeen and stalemate against Kilmarnock have done little to raise spirits.
There has been a lack of verve and nous from Rangers and a profligacy in the final third has ultimately been their undoing on all three occasions as points have been dropped and silverware ambitions have been prematurely ended.
After seeing his side underwhelm at Hampden, Gerrard demanded a reaction at Ibrox. The one he got wasn’t the one he expected as Greg Stewart cancelled out Alfredo Morelos’s opener to deny Rangers a muchneeded victory and ensure they dropped another two points in the title race.
The changes in the dugout have undoubtedly led to improvements on the park but midfielder Ryan Jack knows patience is required from a demanding and expectant support.
“Of course, it is [important to stay calm],” he said. “Not all the players were on the pre-season trip to Spain.
“There has been a lot of change-over, a whole new staff, a lot of new players. At this club, there is a big demand and it has a great support.
“Traditionally it has won trophies and been successful. As players you need to carry that weight when you are playing. Every game, there is an expectation.
“When you don’t live up to that, you have to be brave and face what comes your way.
“We’ve got another chance on Saturday. We need to go out and show a reaction and I’m sure we’ll do that.
“You carry that weight of expectation in every game. As soon as you pull that jersey on, it’s for three points or it’s to get to a cup final, or if you get to a cup final, it’s to lift a trophy.
“We have only been a few months together so it’s not all down and negative. We are still positive. It’s two frustrating results but there is a chance to go and put it right on Saturday.”
Boss Gerrard was straight-talking in his assessment of the Hampden no-show at the weekend and left his players in no doubt about what is required going forward.
There were more chances created against Killie but not enough were taken as Steve Clarke’s side battled their way to a share of the spoils.
A lack of quality at key moments has been Rangers’ main problem of late. A lack of effort isn’t an issue, though.
“It’s tough to take off the back of Sunday,” Jack said. “We wanted to put in a strong performance and get the three points. It wasn’t to be. So it’s disappointing.
“We have a chance on Saturday to put the last two games to bed and put it right.
“It’s just motivation for the players to realise that every day you need to be on top of your game.
“Every match at this club demands standards, you need to be at the top of your game every day in training or you get left behind.
“As players, you just get your head down, keep working hard. It’s important we all stick together and I’m sure it will all be good.
“Training has been excellent. It’s as good as it has been. Obviously on the back of Sunday’s disappointment, there can be a hangover. But training was lively, it was a good standard.
“You just have to keep working, there’s no other answer for it. Get your head down, stick together and it will change.”
Gerrard will hope those efforts will be rewarded sooner rather than later as he prepares for the trip to St Mirren this weekend. Then, the focus will be on Europe once again.
The matches in the Europa League have seen decibel levels rise at Ibrox as the home crowd have backed their side in huge numbers. There was a different feeling in the air on Wednesday, however, as a nervousness and tension crept from the stands onto the park.
Jack said: “That’s expected after the disappointment of losing a massive semi-final to one of our rivals.
“There is going to be an effect with the players and fans. We weren’t good enough on Sunday, we never won the game.
“So we knew there would be a wee bit of a hangover. Wednesday was just another frustrating night.
“We are a team. We win together, draw together, lose together. There no pointing fingers in our dressing room, saying ‘it’s your fault’. Collectively, we are all together.
“If we win, we celebrate together. If we lose, we move on together. The last two games have been frustrating but I’m sure everything will be alright if we stick together.”
The messages from Gerrard have been hard-hitting in recent days and there is no doubt they will have been received loud and clear in the Ibrox dressing room.
He has called for his players to stand up and be counted in the face of adversity. In Paisley tomorrow, the same challenge will be laid down to the Light Blues.
Jack said: “Even on Sunday, the players on the pitch have to take responsibility. We can’t be saying ‘oh, it’s this, it’s that’.
“It’s us who are on the pitch. It’s us who cross the white line to go on and do the business. In the last couple of games, we have not produced but it’s important to stay calm.
“There is no crisis. There is no negativity. It’s important we just stick together. If we do that, I’m sure we will come good.”