Gerrard warns that Rangers are different
Steven Gerrard has warned his new players that coping with the pressure at Rangers isn’t going to be easy.
The Ibrox manager has seven new recruits about to embark on their first Premiership campaign.
This afternoon’s game against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park is the first of an intense 38-game season.
Some teams would be quite content to kick-off with an away draw. But Gerrard knows that would be seen as desperately disappointing by the supporters.
The Ibrox boss said: “I think for the new players coming here, that will be the biggest eye-opener.
“With all due respect to the clubs they’ve been at before, coming to Rangers, the mentality and expectation of supporters is completely different.
“I came from Liverpool and it’s very similar there.
“But if you look at these players, not many have come from clubs where if you drop points or suffer a defeat, the reaction is like the world’s going to end.
“That’s where the new additions have to get up to speed very quickly – because the expectation is huge.
“The dressing room helps me with that. New players ask a lot of questions about the club they’re about to join.
“So I’m sure they’re aware of it. You only have to look at the success the club’s had in the past.
“They’re bright enough to know the level of expectation is different.
“The experienced players will help me. The fact we’ve got some Rangers supporters in there, too, should also help.
“On top of that, you’ve got boys like Connor Goldson and Scott Arfield, who are good leaders and good people.
“They realise that the quicker the new boys settle – and understand the challenge they face here – it’s going to help them.
“I see a better-equipped squad this season, but we have to go and prove it.”
The Ibrox boss knows there will be a massive focus on the fight for the title, and Rangers trying to stop Celtic making it nine league championships in a row.
However, he claims it would be a mistake not to look beyond that battleground.
Gerrard said: “I don’t think it’s all about the league. I think it’s about trying to bring some success back to the supporters.
“The league will always be a priority for me, and whatever manager follows me, just the same as it was always a priority for those who came before.
“At all big clubs, the league is your bread and butter. But at Rangers, you’re never in a position to focus on just one tournament.
“It wouldn’t be allowed, and it wouldn’t be accepted.
“If I was to sit here now and say I’m not interested in the two cups or qualifying for Europe, I’m only interested in the league, I think I would be packing up my office.”
Gerrard believes it will a familiar challenge when Rangers travel to Rugby Park.
The former England skipper went on: “There’s been a lot of changes at Kilmarnock, so it’ll be interesting to see what their approach or style is.
“I predict that it won’t change that much. They’ve tried to change at the start, and it hasn’t really worked for them so far.
“So I’d imagine there will be a lot of player power in the dressing room, and they’ll want to revert back to what they’re comfortable with.
“Time will tell, but in terms of the challenge or what we’ll face, I think it’ll be very similar to what Steve Clarke had.”
Gerrard is increasingly excited about the impact being made by on-loan Liverpool winger, Sheyi Ojo.
He hopes the 22-year-old will be a big hit this season, but warns that his style means he’ll have to enjoy some rough treatment.
“He was unplayable for the last 20 minutes in Luxembourg the other night,” said Gerrard.
“They kicked him all night, and he got no protection. But he never complained. He bounced back up after tackles.
“If you are that type of player, you have got to enjoy getting kicked.
“I’ve watched Lionel Messi for 12 years and he gets kicked from pillar to post. Ronaldo is the same.
“If you want to be a top player, you have to get used to being kicked.”