Players must earn jersey, says Gerrard
JOHN McGARRY
STEVEN GERRARD last night claimed that too many Rangers players had ‘cruised’ into the Ibrox team and had become ‘comfortable and complacent’ under previous regimes. And he warned his squad that they must earn the right to wear the jersey while he is in charge. The Englishman has signed ten players since taking the reins this summer — with the possibility of two more still to follow. Ahead of tonight’s Europa League qualifier against NK Osijek of
Croatia, he believes the competition for places is in stark contrast to the comfort zone too many players previously found themselves in. ‘The arrival of new signings early on raised the level,’ said Gerrard. ‘And I also think that, after adding a few late on — Lassana Coulibaly, Umar Sadiq, Ryan Kent, Ovie Ejaria — players are realising now that there’s a fight on for the first 11 shirts and real competition for places. ‘That can only be healthy. Without being disrespectful, I think players found it too easy to get into this team previously. ‘From the outside looking in, I think people have cruised into this team and got comfortable and complacent. ‘You can’t just expect to be a starter for such a big football club. ‘My aim, coming in, was to make it difficult and to challenge people. ‘I need to make them realise that they have to give me everything they’ve got to get a shirt — and even more so to keep a hold of it on a regular basis. That’s the way it’s got to be.’ Nigerian striker Sadiq, who is on a season-long loan from Roma, did not travel yesterday as he looks to improve his fitness in Glasgow. But midfielder Coulibaly and forward Kent are in contention to play tonight as Gerrard seeks a platform to progress to the third qualifying round. ‘Ryan has just got clearance, so he is available,’ said Gerrard of the on-loan Liverpool man. ‘He is an attacking player who can play on either side, as well as a No 10. ‘He is quick, aggressive in possession and an exciting player to watch. We hope he can help in terms of creativity in the final third. ‘It will take him time to settle in, but he’s in a good place after two or three weeks with Jurgen Klopp, who is not shy in terms of working players hard.’ On Coulibaly, Gerrard added: ‘Lassana has pushed on very quickly, physically and fitness-wise. He’s blessed in terms of his power and natural fitness. ‘He has excelled since he’s landed and cruised through the fitness work we’ve given him. He is available.’ Explaining Sadiq’s absence, the Ibrox boss said: ‘Having assessed him in the period since he’s been here, he still needs more time. ‘I still think he’s lacking a bit of match sharpness, so we thought the best idea was for him to carry on with the training and push himself physically over the next couple of days.’ Fourth in the Croatian league last season, Osijek are expected to provide a far sterner test than Shkupi of Macedonia, who Rangers saw off 2-0 in the previous round. ‘I think it is certainly a level up from the previous challenge because the Croatian league is a lot stronger than the Macedonian league,’ said Gerrard. ‘I know they finished fourth in the league, but they finished fourth to some big-hitters and they have had a good campaign. ‘We have watched them closely and they have some match-winners. ‘They are also very bold in the way they play, especially at home, and they push players forward, so they have got a very attacking philosophy. ‘That can be admired if they get joy, but, at the same time, we have got to try and use it to our advantage. ‘If they pile men forward, we have to try and capitalise.’ Asked about more new arrivals the day after chairman Dave King said there could still be two new faces, Gerrard smiled: ‘The chairman has already answered that. ‘I think if the right business comes along, then there might be one or two more.’