Strength in depth affords Gerrard a welcome selection headache
FOURTEEN months into management with Rangers, Steven Gerrard has encountered a new problem. It has the capacity to tax his brainpower and stretch his diplomatic skills. And he loves it.
The 39-year-old admits picking a starting XI has never been tougher. After his team scored ten goals in their last two games, Gerrard finds himself with a pool of on-form performers staking strong claims to feature in tonight’s Europa League qualifier second leg against FC Midtjylland.
Keeping everyone happy, when some are being left out despite producing the goods in the previous fixtures, is no simple task. Even making the bench has not been a given for international assets such as Borna Barisic and newcomer Filip Helander.
But all these little dilemmas can also be read as signs of progress during Gerrard’s reign. It is with a smile rather than a grimace that he considers the current selection headaches to be his biggest yet.
‘For sure, yes... I’ve never had this feeling where there are four or five players outside the squad of 18 who are giving me daggers, never mind the seven who are not in the 11,’ said Gerrard.
‘But I welcome it and the message to the players is the only way we can have a positive end to the season is if everyone contributes. We won’t do it with 11 or 13 or 14 or 15.
‘The only way we’ll do it is with a strong squad because, if you analyse why Man City win leagues, analyse why Liverpool win Champions Leagues or why Celtic win Trebles, it’s a collective thing throughout the squad.
‘If the players understand that, we’ll be fine. But the headache is not going away, certainly not in the short term because I have to name a squad for tomorrow and there are four or five who won’t be happy.’
Squad rotation is essential when domestic fixtures crash into European assignments on a weekly basis. But some players are very reluctant to be rested. So how does Gerrard deal with those who are left out?
‘It’s a challenge,’ admitted the Rangers boss. ‘I don’t think everyone is going to be happy every day. That’s the reality.
‘But they are all professional. They are all big boys. You have seen this season that I have rotated and changed and given people opportunities. I did that throughout pre-season.
‘More often than not I’ll play the players I am confident are going to deliver and win the game. That’s got to be the priority. But, having played in Europe as a player, I realise it takes an awful lot out of you. It’s impossible to play ThursdaySunday throughout the season.
‘If you add that to injuries and suspensions, going on what we have experienced in the past 12 months, I am going to need more than 15 or 16 players.
‘I am hoping we have got 50 to 60 games this season. If for any reason we haven’t got European football, that probably won’t be the case, where players are coming out of teams in that rotation. ‘I think you saw at the back end of the season, when we had a game a week, the team was pretty settled. People were delivering and performing. And if you are getting wins, you stay in the team more often than not. But whilst we have this schedule, you know and I know that it is impossible to play the same 11.’
Inevitably, some will still figure more consistently than others. Speaking after last Sunday’s 6-1 rout of Hibernian, Gerrard confirmed Ryan Jack was one of the first names that entered his mind whenever a significant game rolled around.
The former Aberdeen captain signed a new contract until 2021 back in December, but Gerrard has suggested he could be further rewarded for his development.
‘I will reward players who reward me with performances,’ he insisted. ‘That’s across the board.
‘I think Ryan has definitely improved but I wouldn’t want to take credit for that. He has worked his socks off, on and off the pitch. He has listened to every single detail we have given him in terms of formations, philosophies, game plans. He is asking questions about where he needs to be, what he needs to do. ‘The main ingredient why Ryan Jack is where he is? Because he has got something inside him. It’s called a big heart. And he empties that for you every time he plays football. ‘When you’re a manager and you pick teams, forget talent. If you know someone is going to empty the tank for you, give you everything and put their body on the line, they’re the ones you normally go with in every position. Ryan has given me every drop, everything inside his body. At the right time, I am sure he will be rewarded.’
It is not midfield, however, that best exemplifies the current level of competition in the Rangers squad. For that, one should probably look to the goal fest that is Alfredo Morelos v Jermain Defoe.
The 36-year-old Englishman’s weekend hat-trick led Gerrard to hint there might be a new deal for him at Ibrox when his 18-month loan from Bournemouth expires next summer. It was a stance he was happy to confirm yesterday.
‘I didn’t tease you, it’s the truth,’ said Gerrard. ‘If Jermain is happy here, he wants to stay and is in the form he is in, it makes total sense to keep him about. He is an absolute dream to work with.
‘He is robust. He is professional. He is great for the young lads in the dressing room. He has been outstanding since he has come in.
‘Now he has a good pre-season under his belt, you saw on Sunday that he is still electric. So why should he be judged on an age?’
Ryan Jack has something inside... a big heart — and he empties it for you every time he plays