NO OLD PAL’S ACT WITH BOSS FOR FLANAGAN NOW

JON FLANAGAN knows where he stands. Being a former Liverpool team-mate of Steven Gerrard’s doesn’t grant him any extra leeway in the Ibrox dressing room. The 25-year-old yesterday reflected on their altered relationship after helping a ten-man Rangers side secure a 2-0 Premiership victory over St Mirren. Impressed by the way Gerrard has settled into management, Flanagan made it clear first-name terms were now out of the question. ‘I think he’s bound to change,’ he said of Gerrard. ‘I think he’s the gaffer now. He’s not Steven to me any more. ‘He’s come in, he’s done really well. He’s had a little taste of it at Liverpool (taking charge of the Under-18s) but all the lads are really enjoying it so far. ‘He’s the manager and I’m the player now. It’s not as it was when we were both players. But I think he’s doing a great job and I hope it continues.’ Flanagan has been a go-to player for Gerrard so far. Having previously operated at left-back, he switched to his more natural right flank as new £1.5million signing Borna Barisic made his debut. ‘I was a bit more comfortable on that side but I’ll play anywhere,’ added Flanagan. ‘I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve been here about two months and I think the team are gelling well. ‘It’s always good to have competition, it’s a long season. ‘I think everyone is going to be needed and we’re all going to have to be ready when called upon.’ Ross McCrorie’s 31st-minute dismissal left Rangers a man down for the second successive Premiership game. Unlike the previous weekend at Aberdeen, however, there was no late concession as the Ibrox defence preserved their lead. ‘We were unlucky not to get the win last week,’ said Flanagan. ‘We deserved this win, we just never do it the easy way do we? ‘It would have been a different game and a different scoreline if we had 11 (players) on the pitch.’ Flanagan will miss Thursday’s Europa League qualifier second leg against Maribor through suspension, but is confident a 3-1 lead will not breed any complacency among his team-mates. ‘I think the manager has instilled that in all the players and staff,’ he insisted. ‘The job is only half done. We’ve got a little bit of belief. They’re still dangerous and we have to be ready to go over there and get the tie done.’