I know how Old Firm fortunes can flip – but now Gers can’t afford to slip up like we did
SAYS BERT KONTERMAN
On his Old Firm debut, Bert Konterman was on the wrong end of a 6-2 scoreline at Celtic Park.
Just three months later, his emotions were at the other end of the scale as Rangers inflicted their own derby-day demolition with a 5-1 victory at Ibrox.
That was nearly 20 years ago. Fast forward to last Sunday, and the Hoops’ 2-0 win in their greatest rivals’ backyard has the Light Blues already playing catch up in their bid to stop nine-in-a-row.
Konterman knows the importance of Rangers getting a result in the next Old Firm showdown, just as was the case back in 2000.
Equally, the Dutchman knows there is no point beating Celtic, then slipping up elsewhere, as happened when Martin O’Neill guided his side to his first league title.
“Steven Gerrard and the players need to believe in what they are doing and go with their plan,” said Konterman, now 48 and coaching Holland’s Under-20s.
“Yes, they have had a sore defeat to Celtic but there is plenty of time to recover. There is no need for anyone at the football club to panic.
“What was there to see in the Celtic game was that they did not create enough chances. And the week before it took a set-piece to beat St Mirren.
“So they need to find a way of getting in behind defences more, and getting into better areas to deliver crosses into the box.
“Players need to be brave and dynamic. Sometimes you must try the more difficult option.
“Success can’t be achieved by playing the safe option all the time.
“That’s when the leaders in the teams, such as Steve Davis and James Tavernier, need to continue to show the way.
“They are both top professionals and experienced footballers. They have the ability to put the team on the front foot.
“When I played for Rangers, I could look to the likes of Arthur Numan, Ronald de Boer and Barry Ferguson.
“Every now and again, you had to look for guidance and reassurance from them. For me, personally, it was great to have that.
“That may well be the case for some of the Rangers players just now. They might just need some extra direction from their team-mates.
“They should be hurting, and that will hopefully lead to a desire to make up for it.
“You must not lie down and feel sorry for yourself.
“My Old Firm debut was obviously one to forget. We lost 6-2 and it was not pleasant.
“We we were all very down and we knew exactly what this fixture meant to the Rangers fans.
“But we bounced back and beat Celtic 5-1 three months later. That was special.
“However, we lost the league to Celtic. We didn’t put up a good enough challenge. We were too inconsistent.
“Dropping points last season to the likes of Kilmarnock, Hibs and Livingston was not helpful to the current Rangers side.
“The same can’t happen again in this campaign.
“Yes, the games against Celtic will be crucial – but so will every other game.
“That mustn’t be overlooked and victory can’t be taken for granted in any fixture.”
Last season was a classic example of what Konterman is talking about.
Both sides split the points from their confrontations, six apiece.
But Neil Lennon’s team were better at getting over the line than Steven Gerrard’s men and won the title by nine points.
Konterman sees a crucial period coming up for his former club.
“It’s an interesting situation right now, and I hope Rangers can recover from the defeat last week and go on a winning run.
“In their next three league games this month they play Livingston, St Johnstone and Aberdeen. Its vital they take full points and go on a winning run.
“They also have a Betfred Cup quarter-final tie against Livingston, and they must get into the semi-final.
“It’s important that they win a trophy this season, and this tournament is the first piece of silverware that is up for collection.”
In the immediate aftermath of last Sunday’s Old Firm defeat, Rangers splashed out £7 million to sign Ryan Kent from Liverpool.
He became the second-highest purchase in the club’s history behind Tore Andre Flo, who was one of Konterman’s team-mates when Dick Advocaat advocated his £12m purchase from Chelsea.
Konterman – who will always have a place in the hearts of Rangers fans for his wonder goal against Celtic in a League Cup semi-final in 2002 – said: “The arrival of Ryan Kent is a massive boost.
“What a nice surprise for everyone at the football club to get him from Liverpool on the final day of the transfer window.
“He has cost millions of pounds, but he should prove to be good value.
“He is a match-winner. I like him. He is an exciting and creative footballer.
“Steven Gerrard will be delighted
When I played for Rangers, I could look to the likes of Numan, De Boer and Barry Ferguson for guidance
to get him in. He might just be the guy to bring that little bit extra to the team in the final third of the pitch.
“That’s the kind of thing that Rangers need.
“If there is good service into the penalty area, then you know that the strikers will score.
“Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe don’t have anything to prove in that regard.
“They will both have been disappointed not to have had any clear-cut chances against Celtic, but there is still time to put it right.
“There are 34 league games to go. I repeat, there is no need for anyone at Ibrox to panic.
“It is going to be an exciting league race and will keep everyone in Scottish football on the edge of their seats.
“The competition is good and there also needs to be strong challenges from Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs and the rest.”
Konterman’s Holland Under-20 side drew 0-0 against England in Shrewsbury last week.
He said: “I’m really enjoying my job. It gives a nice feeling and the young players are talented, hardworking, dedicated and respectful.
“We all get great encouragement and pride from what we try to achieve at all levels in the national game in Holland.
“So it was great to see the full national side beating Germany 4-2 on Friday night in the Euro 2020 qualifier in Hamburg. That was a fantastic result.
“We all continue to work hard and hope that, along with a little bit of luck, it all comes good.”
Steven Gerrard would drink to that.