Gerrard at pains to have Gers fit for derby
RANGERS 1 HIBERNIAN 1 McGregor’s late header is another setback as Gerrard’s men head into Old Firm bout
STEVEN GERRARD has urged his Old Firm fitness doubts to play through the pain barrier to help Rangers in their top-of-the table clash with Celtic.
The Ibrox boss is sweating on the fitness of several first-team stars following the 1-1 draw with Hibernian at Ibrox on Boxing Day.
Borna Barisic has already been ruled out of the derby clash this weekend after being crocked in the win over St Johnstone at the weekend.
And Gareth McAuley, Scott Arfield and Ryan Kent missed the Hibs stalemate as Connor Goldson was forced off in the second half to add to Gerrard’s woes.
But the Ibrox boss hopes his walking wounded will be able to patch themselves up in time to face Celtic in a hugely significant Premiership clash on Saturday.
“Sore. He’s a big doubt,” Gerrard said when asked about Goldson. “There’s a lot of ice flying about the dressing room at the moment.
“I’ve just said to the players, ‘We’ve got two options here. We can feel sorry for ourselves and mope around and sit in
THE latest blow was delivered on Boxing Day. Now, Steven Gerrard must pick Rangers up off the floor for a heavyweight encounter at Ibrox.
The first battle between blue and green this week ended in disappointment for Gerrard as Hibernian denied his side a victory that would have allowed them to set their sights on top spot in the Premiership.
That ambition is unlikely now and, once again, Rangers only have themselves to blame as a game that should have been won relatively comfortably yielded yet more thoughts of what might have been and a feeling of an opportunity missed.
Rangers have gone into Old Firm encounters in recent years with bragging rights as their only possible prize. A win over Celtic this time would be more significant, but it will take a much-improved showing if that victory is to be earned.
Alfredo Morelos had ensured that Steven Gerrard could enjoy his first Christmas in Glasgow as he hit the brace that beat St Johnstone at the weekend. But his firsthalf strike here wasn’t enough to see off Hibernian.
A Darren McGregor header with just minutes remaining snatched a point for the visitors. Once again, this was two dropped for Rangers and the smattering of boos around Ibrox at the whistle was confirmation that everyone in Light Blue knew it.
A day that could have seen Rangers take pole position in the title race ended with them further away than when they started. Their chances of claiming that spot going into the winter break are now slim.
For the first occasion this term, both sides of the Old
‘‘ Their chances of top spot going into the winter break are slim
Firm were in action at the same time and the Ibrox crowd would have been keeping up to date with the goings on at Pittodrie as they took their seats for the penultimate time this year.
Gerrard had warned his side not to take their eye off the ball and allow their minds to drift to the Old Firm clash here on Saturday. It was a message everyone in Light Blue had to take in.
This was not the biggest game of the week for Rangers but its importance could not be underestimated. There was an air of anticipation around the packed stands as these rivals went head-to-head for the second time in a week.
The main focus for Rangers was taking care of business against Neil Lennon’s side but events elsewhere mattered too. There was a roar and ripple of applause when word filtered through that Aberdeen had equalised for a second time but hopes of an upset were quickly quelled as Celtic clinched victory.
Ultimately, that only added to Rangers’ woes, but it shouldn’t have been the case. As the full-time whistle was going in Aberdeen, Gerrard’s side were returning to the dressing room with their job half done.
The Gers’ lead was deserved but it was also slender. It was Morelos who produced the best moment of the first half and his strike, his 20th of the campaign, broke the deadlock as Ibrox rose to acclaim the man who will be crucial to their silverware aspirations in the second half of the season.
The Colombian endured a frustrating evening at Easter Road last midweek as keeper Adam Bogdan pulled off a string of saves to deny him a goal and Rangers a victory. When he got his first sight of target here, he took the opportunity with aplomb.
A clearance from McGregor ricocheted off Daniel Candeias and the ball fell into the path of Morelos as he burst clear and towards goal.
His finish was low and clinical as Bogdan was left with no chance. It was a milestone strike for Morelos and a huge moment for Rangers as Ibrox roared in celebration.
The lead was merited at that stage but the hosts couldn’t rest on their laurels as Hibernian recovered, regrouped and threatened on a couple of occasions.
Keeper Allan McGregor made a terrific low stop to deny Martin Boyle and had to quickly get to his feet and make another as Florian Kamberi tried his luck with an acrobatic effort after Ross McCrorie sliced a clearance high into the air.
Hibernian weren’t at their fluent best but they were still dangerous and Rangers needed the second goal before they could start to feel safe in the game. It never arrived.
The best chance before the break came when possession was won in the middle of the park and Glenn Middleton was sent scampering clear. Hibs got bodies back, though, and a pass towards Candeias was cut out before half-hearted appeals for a foul on Andy Halliday were waved away.
It wasn’t a classic affair, but it was intriguing, especially given the high stakes in play and the stage was set
for a crucial 45 minutes for Gerrard’s side.
Rangers started brightly after the break as Connor Goldson came close with a header and Joe Worrall flicked an effort towards the near post. The best chance fell to Lassana Coulibaly, but the Malian couldn’t test Bogdan after being picked out by James Tavernier.
There was plenty of attacking endeavour from Rangers but they would suffer a blow at the back on the hour mark as Goldson was forced off. The defender received treatment after landing awkwardly in first half injury time and, despite giving it his best go, he had to be replaced by Nikola Katic.
The momentum was with Rangers at that stage and Ryan Jack brought out a fingertip save from Bogdan with a dipping strike from distance before Ross McCrorie pulled a shot wide of target.
Their visitors were still more than capable of causing problems on the break.
With just five minutes left, the sucker punch was delivered. Stephen Mallan pinged the ball wide to substitute Sean Mackie and his cross was into the path of McGregor.
His namesake in the Rangers goal got a hand to it but the header from the former Rangers defender was too strong. Ibrox was stunned.
The clock was against Rangers now and soon their time was up. Now, it is of the essence as Gerrard attempts to prepare his players for their biggest bout yet.