Don hopes Stevie-g doesn’t turn around Gers’ fortunes today
Don Cowie has vivid personal experience of Steven Gerrard.
He’s hoping there’s no repeat when the pair come together again at Victoria Park this afternoon.
The Ross County midfielder watched the Rangers boss miss Liverpool’s opening penalty in the shoot- out to decide the 2012 English League Cup Final.
Then, following failures from fellow Scots Kenny Miller and Charlie Adam, Cowie showed how it should be done by calmly chipping Cardiff City’s opener from the spot.
However, with Rudy Gestede and Anthony Gerrard – a cousin of the Gers boss – botching their efforts for the Bluebirds, the Cup went to Liverpool.
“That is football. It never ceases to amaze you, which is why we love the game,” said Cowie.
“Take us at County. We had the highs of a fantastic away win at Aberdeen. But then we get comprehensively beaten 4- 1 at Motherwell in midweek.
“The League Cup Final was a day I will always remember.
“I am a Liverpool fan. So it was one of those situations where you were playing against the team you grew up supporting in a national final.
“Not only that, but Steven Gerrard is someone I have always looked up to. He was one of the greatest midfielders the Premier League has ever seen.
“Many a time you would see him turn a game on its head.
“When you are at that level, you have to compete with the best. That is exactly what we did on the day.
“Unfortunately, Liverpool just got the better of us in the shoot-out.”
Cowie, at 37, just two years younger than the Rangers boss, is himself taking his first steps in coaching.
He splits his time between playing for the Staggies and coaching the club’s Under- 18s, with a knee injury giving him the chance to focus on the latter for much of this season.
Although it is at a different level, he believes it gives him an insight into some of the frustrations the Englishman has to endure.
“When he was playing, Steven Gerrard was someone who could transform a game in an instant,” said Cowie.
“As a manager, you have to park any thought of that to one side. It is part of the transition everyone has to make.
“You are the manager, and you can’t expect players to be what you were – especially in his case.
“If you are at Rangers, you are expected to win every game.
“They are going through a run of form where it is not quite happening, and they will want to rectify that as soon as possible.
“They will be wounded after losing to Hamilton Accies in midweek after being knocked out of the Cup at Tynecastle. “They will be desperate to get back to winning ways.
“They are going to turn it around eventually. They are going to get a win, and will want to get it in Dingwall. “But, as much as it is up to Steven Gerrard to find ingredients to get the winning cycle going again, it is up to us to make sure it doesn’t happen.
“They can go on their run after that. But, for now, we have to embrace the challenge.
“It is an opportunity for us at home to maybe put them under a bit of pressure.
“But we have no given right to go and beat Rangers, just because they are in a poor run of form.”
As the former Scotland midfielder acknowledges, Hamilton’s shock win at Ibrox has increased the pressure not only on Hearts and St Mirren at the foot of the Premiership, but also on his own team, who are not clear of relegation.
“It just goes to show that in the position we are in, you can take nothing for granted,” Cowie continued.
“Fair play to Hamilton for going there and getting a massive three points.
“Hearts did the same on Tuesday against Hibs at Easter Road. That is the way it is going to be.
“It is in our own hands. But it is massively important that we stay up. Because if you slip out, it is not easy to come back up.
“You only have to look at Dundee United to see how difficult that is.
“Working with the kids, I know there are a few very exciting players coming through.
“At 37, I don’t know if I am going to still be able to play in the Premiership next season. But I’d love to see some of them make the step up.”