Gerrard is accentuating the positives for Rangers
His glass may have felt half empty in Lisbon on Thursday night, but Rangers manager Steven Gerrard can start to look on the bright side as he reflects more soberly on the dramatic 3- 3 draw against Benfica.
While Gerrard’s frustration at conceding t wo late goals against their 10 - man opponents at the Stadium of Light cannot be easily soothed, he knows Rangers still remain in a hugely promising position in Group D of the Europa League.
They are setting the pace alongside top seeds Benfica on seven points at the halfway stage, leaving them well placed to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament for a second successive season.
“For sure, we can’t all of a sudden start pointing fingers and think all is lost,” said Gerrard.
“We are still unbeaten, we are still on this run, but I get that we should still be talking about a huge win and a massive European performance.
“Unfortunately we are talking about a draw but when the dust settles I’m sure people will realise it’s a positive point.
“When people really analyse where we are, they will realise how much we’ve done and how far we have progressed.
“We’re certainly in a far better place. But you can’t blame people for feeling a bit down and a bit stung at the moment.
“I feel the same, the players feel the same. But I will pick myself up and so will the players.
“We have to keep moving forward.
“It’s another point closer to where we want to be. The challenge for us when the group stage draw was made was could we get ourselves into the last 32 for a second time?
“We have made a very strong star t, but we need to from our mistakes.
“When we get ourselves into that sor t of position, and I mean going 3- 1 in front against 10 men, we have to show the opposition more respect, especially at this level.
“A game is not done and it’s never won until the final whistle. We all need to take responsibility from the fact we didn’t return from Portugal with all three points.”
One of the main positives from the game in Lisbon was another impressive performance from midfielder Ste
l earn ven Davis. The 35- year- old was instrumental in the 3- 3 draw, looping the ball over the top for Ryan Kent’s run that resulted in Nicolas Otamendi’s red card and the game spinning into Rangers’ favour.
And t he veteran’s performance was not lost on his fellow midfielder watching from the touchline.
Gerrard said: “Davo's being really, really consistent at the moment and arguably in the best form since we've been working together.”
He added: “He i s i n good form. I think he has been since we returned from lockdown.
"You always wonder when players are at that age, and they have such a long time off with the lockdown, what are they going to be like when they return.
"But with his professionalism, his attitude and his application, he has come back in unbelievable shape and he's built on that, which has shown in his performances.”
Davis, inset, is one of a number of Ibrox players out of contract at the end of this season
– including Allan Mcgregor, Leon Balogun and Jermain Defoe but t he boss added: “When the time is right we'll discuss t heir f utures with them in private. If there's any news we'll update you.”
Rangers will look to maintain t heir current nine- point lead at the top of the Scott i sh Premiership when they host Hamilton tomorrow.
"We had a very interesting game last night but it's back to domestic responsibilities with Hamilton and we're looking to get another three points and build on our good form."
Accies manager Brian Rice hopes to add "t wo or three" new players to his squad over t he next week. He i s without long- term injured David Templeton, Kyle Munro and Charlie Trafford for the trip to Ibrox, while Ronan Hughes i s struggling with a knock and Jamie Hamilton has shin splints.
Rice, who will have captain Brian Easton available again for the first time since February after he recovered from ankle surgery, looks forward to bolstering his squad.
He said: "We are always looking to add to the squad, especially at this time because we are down to the bare bones.
"It is just the way it is and we have a lot of games between now and the 30th of December.
"The lads need a hand so we are looking and hopefully we will have t wo or three new players in the squad by this time next week.
"The players obviously aren't going to be up to speed right now but in two or three weeks' time they will be and I am hoping that the ones we bring in are a massive help to us.
"The board are aware of the situation with injuries and what can happen with Covid. They are very supportive as they always have been and they realise the lads need a hand and I need numbers in the squad so they have been very very helpful."
Rice is happy to have 32- yearold defender Easton back in the squad. He said: "Brian is not ready to start games but it is good to have him back in the squad, he is a big part of the team here.
"I hope I get the old Brian Easton back but with the young energy and enthusiasm he has always had for football."
Easton spoke of a "bizarre" time since he last pulled on an Accies shirt. “Having an injury during lockdown and an operation, it has been a bizarre time, ups and downs in the last seven or eight months. "I am feeling good now and so excited to get back playing."