Time not a healer for Gers boss after Old Firm defeat

Time has not healed the disappointment of Rangers’ derby defeat for Steven Gerrard as he bids to bounce back against Livingston.

Gerrard has had almost two weeks to pore over their 2-0 home defeat by Celtic while some of his players have been away on international duty.

But all have gathered together again with the same mindset to go out and start making amends for a disappointing display when Rangers failed to seriously trouble Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

That process could begin when Gary Holt’s team visit Ibrox on Ladbrokes Premiership duty.

Gerrard said: “We all want to get back to winning ways. From a mental point of view, everyone is ready to bounce back.

“Of course, there’s people at different stages. Some have been away and played two internationals, some have travelled a lot, some have stayed behind and worked very hard and are very fresh and ready to go.

“But I think all of us understand the setback and where we were 10 days ago, and that’s the reason I am really looking forward to kick-off on Saturday.

“Because in football you get a chance to bounce back from a disappointment and that’s what we want to do.”

Gerrard’s feelings on the defeat have not changed since he spoke immediately afterwards. “It’s more frustration,” he said. “I know what these players can do, individually and collectively.”

Rangers’ director of football Mark Allen is leaving his role, the club have announced. Allen, who joined the club in 2017 and oversaw the appointment of Steven Gerrard as manager, is leaving “for family reasons and in order to explore other options”, according to a statement on the club website.