WHY DOES DELIGHT IN EUROPE SO QUICKLY TURN TO DESPAIR ON THE DOMESTIC SCENE?
Gerrard elated by Rangers’ European journey but their struggle on the home front is real source of frustration
IN the warm glow of a mighty Europa League victory, the time to bask was brief for Steven Gerrard. For after proudly broadcasting ‘flawless’ and ‘outstanding’ accolades about his group in Braga, something swiftly started to nag at the Rangers manager.
When asked if he returned to Glasgow to tear his hair out at the baffling issue of how that level of performance can’t be replicated domestically, he admitted: ‘I did that before I got home.’
With that image in mind, such is the disparity in form between two thrilling victories over Portugal’s in-form club and the domestic dip to beset Rangers since the winter break, it’s a wonder an exasperated Gerrard isn’t now sporting a hairline as bare as his assistant, Gary McAllister’s.
‘It’s a difficult one,’ said the former England captain. ‘Because I know that these players, when they are really in the zone, focused and respect the challenge in front of them, are a match for anyone they come up against.
‘So, at times, it has been frustrating and despairing when you analyse some of the results we have had.
‘But it is what it is. Thinking about it and overanalysing it for too long is not going to help. It’s important to look forward.
‘I think what last Wednesday shows is that when everyone is tuned in and everyone follows a game plan, sacrifices themselves for the team and parks up their ego, we were a formidable team.
‘That is probably the best performance we have had as a group. It makes you feel really proud on the side. When we can get that consistently, I believe we will become a successful team.
‘The best teams find that consistency for longer periods and they are the ones who are successful. We are still trying to learn and grow. I know we are not the finished team or where I want us to be.
‘I don’t think talent is enough. To be successful and win when the competition is so challenging, you need players with the right mentality, focus, standards and professionalism to go with the talent.
‘A group where everyone is on the same page, understands the challenge and how we need to be on a daily basis. Not pick and choose when you want to be like that.
‘When we get there, I’m very confident these players can have some good times together.’
Deflating defeats to Kilmarnock and Hearts, plus dropped points against Aberdeen and St Johnstone saw Rangers lose too much title ground and Gerrard, whose side host Hamilton next, lose some trust in some.
He may be able to bank on a high standard of display against Bayer Leverkusen more than he can the visit of Brian Rice’s relegationthreatened Accies to Ibrox.
Yet that may not be sufficient to overcome the step up in class against Bundesliga quality in the last 16, with a first leg at Ibrox on Thursday, March 12.
Leverkusen, fifth in the German top flight, finished third in a hot Champions League section from which Juventus and Atletico Madrid advanced.
When asked if RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich’s Champions League wins in London over Spurs in October and Chelsea last week hinted at a renaissance from German clubs, Gerrard warned: ‘I don’t think they’ve ever been away.
‘Every experience I had, whether a friendly or a competitive game against a German team, I always came away thinking: “They’re seriously organised in terms of tactical approach”. They are big, strong physically and are good professionals who know how to play football. You are up against it with German opposition, whether you are a player or a coach.
‘But when the game at Ibrox comes around, I am sure the stadium will be pumping and jumping. If we can continue to be as consistent as we have been in Europe, then, hopefully, we can give them a right good test.
‘Nobody really gave us a chance in the groups. I am sure the majority would have backed Braga to knock us out in the last 32. So the players deserve to be excited and deserve to be in the competition at this stage.’
Gerrard’s handling of the European challenges from the first qualifying round against St Joseph’s in Gibraltar to stunning Sporting Braga with victory in both legs exceeding expectations.
He admits he hadn’t given a moment of thought to competing at this level when setting out on the journey on July 9.
‘I didn’t even think about the groups when the draw was made for our first qualifying game because you have to go through eight games before you even get to there,’ declared the manager.
‘So there is no point to dream or look that far forward. I look at what’s next on the horizon in the short term.
‘Of course, when you come to the fourth round, you start thinking how good it would be to be in the group stage and to deliver that for the supporters.
‘It’s where Rangers belong and, from a budget and financial point of view, it’s where this club need to be.
‘I never thought once, going back to the first game of the season, that I would be sitting here talking about a last-16 game.
‘But we need to park up Europe for a few weeks now. We want to keep the season as exciting as we can for as long as we can.’
With Ianis Hagi (pictured right in action against Braga) now in the side, excitement would appear to be a guarantee.
Two-goal hero of the first leg against Braga at Ibrox, the on-loan playmaker from Genk had Gerrard
‘IANIS IS VERY CLEVER. HE HAS TICKED EVERY BOX SINCE HE’S COME IN’
purring with the assist for Ryan Kent’s goal in Portugal.
‘It was a moment of genius because that was about vision and executing a very difficult pass,’ said Gerrard.
‘The weight of it, being a midfielder, I really appreciated that moment. Particularly on the back of a disappointing setback with the (missed) penalty.
‘A lot of people would have gone missing for the rest of the game but Ianis stepped up and provided the moment that helped us to go on and get an important win.
‘That’s what I want from players. Setbacks and mistakes will happen, we’re going to have days where we are not ourselves. But if we are all on the same page mentally, we’ll be better for it.’
As part of the Romanian’s loan arrangement, Rangers own the first option on completing a permanent transfer for £4million in the summer.
Gerrard hopes to see Hagi carry the form of his first month in Glasgow through the remainder of the campaign in order to make the decision to activate any offer an easy one.
‘There’s still a lot of football to be played,’ he added. ‘Ianis has come in and had a real strong impact, he has been fantastic so far.
‘We’ve been delighted with him, on and off the pitch, how professional he is, how much of a student of the game he is and how quickly he has picked up how we want to play. ‘People will talk about the assists and goals but, positionally, he’s very clever. His work rate, his attitude, he has ticked every box since he came. ‘It’s fantastic to be in a position where we have the first option but I don’t have to make a decision right now.
‘All the players have to keep up a high standard of performance to stay here.
‘Only consistency keeps you at Rangers, individually as collectively. It’s as simple as that.’