Jack’s screamer isn’t good enough to be Gerrard’s No. 1
Jack (37)
Steven Gerrard doesn’t think Ryan Jack’s match-winning volley is his side’s best goal of the season – but it’s the sort of strike he wants to see more of.
The midfielder showed his class by taking a brilliant first touch and smacking the ball home from outside the box.
It was the stroke of brilliance Rangers needed to bounce back with a victory against Kilmarnock after the disappointing draw at Hamilton last Sunday.
Without the striking talents of Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Jermain Defoe, the Ibrox men are lacking a cutting edge around the penalty box.
That’s why, as Gerrard admitted, they have to look for goals from other areas.
He said: “I think Ryan’s touch complemented the strike, and I think it’s going to go right into our top three goals of the season.
“He might just lose out to Kemar’s wonder strike in Europe for No. 1 spot. That’s what I want Jacko to keep trying to add to his game.
“He has got the technique to shoot from distance, and we have been encouraging all the midfielders to take shots on.
“We have scored a few from outside the box this year – but nowhere near enough.
“It was a fantastic strike and deserved to win any game of football.
“It’s great to have him back. He got a bit of a kick on his calf, but I’m sure he’ll be fine for the Europa League match in Belgium.”
Rangers dominated possession from the off yesterday, with Kilmarnock doing their best to frustrate their opponents’ attacks.
Goalkeeper Allan Mcgregor, who declared the Hamilton performance “rubbish” at full-time, was clearly looking for a big improvement.
He wasn’t slow to rebuke those in front of him for the slightest error.
That’s the thing about football without fans. There’s no way players can pretend they don’t hear comments coming from the manager or team-mates.
This was Tommy Wright’s attempt to get one over the Ibrox side, but it was very similar to the way the Ayrshire men operated so successfully under Steve Clarke.
That was never the most expansive style, especially away from home.
Youssouf Mulumbu’s first-time pass did send Brandon Haunstrup through on goal after half-an-hour, but Connor Goldson was across quickly to block his shot.
That aside, the first 45 minutes was all about Rangers trying to break down a deep-lying defence.
Teams like Killie are desperate for points and even a draw would have been a major boost for a side sliding closer to the relegation places with every passing week.
There hadn’t been much to trouble visiting keeper Colin Doyle before Jack’s strike, but more action came his way after it.
Zech Medley blundered by passing
the ball straight out of defence to Ryan Kent and the goalie saved his blushes by tipping a shot over the bar.
He denied Kent again just after the restart by pushing away the Englishman’s low shot.
Rangers upped the tempo in the second half, while Killie did nothing to trouble Mcgregor.
Wright’s team should have found themselves two down when a Rangers’ break saw Kent find Joe Aribo with the goal at his mercy.
He was too tentative with his effort and somehow managed to miss the target from close range.
It wasn’t a sparkling performance from Gerrard’s men but they were the superior side in every department.
You have to think the victory would have been more convincing if Morelos, Roofe or Defoe had been available.
Rangers have only scored more than one goal in two of their eight games this year, and that’s making their run towards the title towards a slightly nervous affair for the fans.
The tension, however, is easing with every passing week.