A winning environment
McAllister reveals his Rangers stars are refusing days off from their new-look training ground
It’s got to be good with all players showing that sort of dedication
FROM the first baby steps taken in a friendly against Bury back on July 6, the Steven Gerrard era quickly raced its way through 18 games in 80 days.
Success in reaching the Europa League group stage has left Rangers fighting on three separate fronts. Premiership and Betfred Cup commitments provide the domestic duties in a congested schedule that will run pretty much all the way to Christmas.
When you add in the associated travel — not to mention the international involvement of many within the squad — you might think the chance of some down-time would be something Gerrard’s charges would seize with both hands.
Not so. Despite being offered a day off after Sunday’s 5-1 hammering of St Johnstone, the first-team car park at the Hummel Training Centre quickly began to fill with expensive vehicles on Monday morning.
For many of the Rangers players, the lure of being back at their workplace and spending time among their colleagues trumped any thoughts of putting their feet up.
That attitude delights Ibrox assistant manager Gary McAllister. Alongside Gerrard, he conducted a summer review of what was once known as Murray Park to create a modernised environment more appealing to its occupants.
But the spruce-up job would obviously only bear dividends if the players had the positive mindset to match their improved surroundings.
McAllister has no doubts that is the case. To him, the ditching of time off is merely the latest evidence that Rangers have forged a group prepared to go the extra mile in their bid to bring silverware back to Ibrox.
‘It says a lot about the players’ determination to succeed that they are willing to sacrifice days off, but also to all the staff who are providing the right sort of information for players who just want to be sponges,’ said McAllister.
‘We all want to get better at every level at this club. I’ve been at clubs where, on a day off, people have no intention of going near the place until they’re asked to go back in.
‘When you’ve got a group of players showing that sort of dedication and willingness to get better, it’s got to be good. The majority of them came in — what else can they do!
‘We’re dictated to quite a lot by sports science, which is such a big thing in the modern game, and, as a result of that, we’re having to pull them off the training ground at times.
‘There have been a lot of changes here, with the first-team dressing room revamped and the eating area raised loads of levels. ‘You want to create an environment where players want to come, even on their day off. They come here and get probably the nicest food in Glasgow and that’s not being disrespectful to the restaurants in the city! ‘They can come and have a coffee and a chat and there are always people here. There are physios, masseurs and it’s about creating that environment where they want to spend time here rather than come in early, train and then go home.’ Tonight’s Betfred Cup quarter-final at Ibrox against Championship leaders Ayr United brings an opportunity for Gerrard’s squad to secure a first visit to Hampden. Successive four-goal Premiership wins have bracketed a fine Europa League point in Villarreal, creating the impression of a squad finding fluency after 15 new additions. ‘The boss is massively encouraged by what is happening,’ insisted McAllister. ‘The players have had to embrace a lot of change. A lot of new players have come in. ‘There was a lot of pressure put on them straight away and they have dealt with it. There wasn’t a word of complaint, either, so all credit goes to them. Now we have Ayr United and it is a crucial game. We’re one away from getting to Hampden and two away from a final. Things are going pretty well at the moment and it’s vital we keep the momentum going.
‘There’s always that pressure to try to win something. This is an opportunity but we have a lot of respect for Ayr. I know Ian McCall. We were apprentices together at Motherwell a long, long time ago.
‘He’s a good guy and a shrewd manager. Up front, they have a lad (Lawrence Shankland) scoring freely. There will be dangers there and we have to approach it full on.’
Six players aged 20 or under — Ross and Robby McCrorie, Glenn Middleton, Stephen Kelly, Cammy Palmer and Jack Thomson — will be part of tonight’s Rangers squad.
‘As much as the starting XI will be strong, there might be an opportunity for these lads to get some minutes,’ said McAllister.
Wes Foderingham will also replace Allan McGregor in goal to make just his second appearance of the season, the only other coming in the previous round against Kilmarnock.
Asked if he had considered leaving Ibrox after losing his first-choice status in the summer, Foderingham said: ‘My first thought was to stay and fight. There were three goalkeepers here and Jak (Alnwick) has gone out on loan.
‘Someone had to go out and it is me and Greegsy here now. He is playing well. My job is to train hard and when I get the opportunity to play to give a good account of myself.’