TIME TO SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT
Docherty accepts the challenge laid down by Gerrard and vows to graft his way to glory in a new Ibrox era
THE choice has been made clear. For each and every Rangers player, you either immediately get on board with Steven Gerrard’s demands for improvement. Or you get left behind.
Greg Docherty wants to make sure he is travelling with Gerrard throughout his debut season in charge. After revealing how the new Ibrox manager set out his expectations at the start of their pre-season training camp in Spain, the 21-year-old midfielder feels compelled to respond. The alternative would seem to be a one-way ticket to a different employer.
Docherty hopes this can be the beginning of a journey that drives him away from the ‘guilt’ he felt following last season’s humiliating Old Firm defeats.
Having experienced enough of the harsh side of life during a first six months at the club he grew up supporting, the Scotland Under-21 cap is determined to forge a brighter future under Gerrard’s command.
‘We first met the manager in the breakfast room when we arrived and he’s a very approachable guy — and it’s the same with Gary McAllister,’ said Docherty, speaking before training at the team complex near Malaga.
‘They just said the standards need to be raised higher, the Europa League is coming round quickly and we need to be ready to go — and if you want to be part of it then stick with us and if not then there’s the door.
‘Everyone wants to push themselves and it’s going to be a tough week but we know that as players.
‘Things can change in an instant in football, so you have to be part of it while you can and you never know what’s round the corner.
‘So you’ve got to push and we know if you let your standards drop you might miss the bus. I want to be on the bus.
‘I want to keep pushing forward and I know we are only going to go places. It’s exciting.’
Gerrard has already highlighted a need for the squad to get in better shape, insisting they were not fit enough to cope against Celtic and in other key matches at the end of last season.
‘I wasn’t part of this last year, but having such a little summer break and the way it worked out fixture-wise didn’t help towards the latter stages of the season,’ said Docherty, regarded as one of the fittest players at Ibrox after making a £680,000 move from Hamilton in January.
‘Niggles started to play a part and people couldn’t really shake things off. Mentally, you were tired as well. It was a long season.
‘But this year we have had a good break and we’ve come into this summer really excited to come back for pre-season.
‘I want to be part of this journey and I think everybody here wants to be part of it. It’s an exciting road ahead.
‘The standards are very high and the bar has been raised. Last year the standards dropped a bit too much and that can’t happen.’
Docherty insists he approaches the challenge of impressing Gerrard with a steelier resolve.
It was forged dealing with the aftermath of successive hammerings by Celtic, losing 4-0 in a Scottish Cup semi-final
at Hampden in April before a 5-0 reverse at Parkhead a fortnight later.
‘The results didn’t pan out the way we hoped at the end of the season,’ reflected Docherty.
‘At the start of the year it was great. We were on a long unbeaten run. Then the wheels came off a little bit.
‘It was difficult but it has stood me in good stead. I feel a lot tougher mentally, more resilient. I can go into this season having learned from the disappointment of last season.
‘I was under no illusions when I joined this club that this was how it was going to be.
‘When I was going out and speaking to people (after losing matches), you feel bad. You feel kind of guilty. But that’s just the way it is.
‘You can see when it does go well how happy everyone is. So you want that success. You know the fans are craving success. If I’m part of the squad that can bring that, I will be absolutely delighted.’
Docherty’s frustration boiled over when he became involved in an angry verbal exchange with Alfredo Morelos at the end of that semi-final nightmare.
While insisting suggestions of a further bust-up in the tunnel were wide of the mark, he made it clear friendly relations had long since been restored with the Colombian striker.
‘That’s not the type of player I am and it was hard,’ admitted Docherty. ‘That’s part of my learning curve. I had to keep quiet and bide my time because what was said wasn’t true.
‘I’m putting it behind me now. I think Alfredo would agree. That’s gone. We are absolutely fine.
‘It’s a fresh start for us as players. It is time to stop dwelling and really start producing again.’
In that respect, he could hardly have a better masterclass in how to dominate a midfield than working with Gerrard and his assistant McAllister on a daily basis.
‘When I joined the club I didn’t think this would come around,’ smiled Docherty.
‘It’s pretty incredible for me and the rest of the younger midfielders, even the older ones. If I can take any information that they give me then I’m sure it will improve me as a player.
‘The manager was a world-class midfielder. I’ve got to look up to him. Only a very small handful of people have achieved what he’s achieved in the game.
‘If you can achieve even a small fraction of that then I’m sure you’ll have a successful career.’