Gerrard says fringe stars can’t complain
happen again. People knock on your door, people shake their head when they’re not in the team, people are disappointed. That’s fine, that’s football.
“But when you are given your chance, go and back it up, go and perform, give me a problem or a headache.
“I think it’s pretty easy, pretty straightforward for me now. I know the players I can trust, and it’s a reality check today that we’re not good enough to make five or six changes.
“It should make my job easier going forward because there should be less knocks at the door. If players are honest with themselves and watch that performance back I don’t really think they’ve got a leg to stand on.
“But I welcome the knocks because I’ve got all the evidence and the ammunition to maybe show them why they’re not in the team.
“I don’t think [it is a mental problem]. We were top of the league seven day ago, we beat a really strong Hearts team, but the last two performances have just shocked and surprised me.”
Rangers moved top of the table with victory over Hearts last Sunday but have now squandered their advantage after two hugely disappointing showings in recent days.
The Gers couldn’t break down a Dundee side that played for 72 minutes with 10 men after defender Nathan Ralph saw red for a challenge on Daniel Candeias.
Gerrard said: “The last two performances have been really poor and I take responsibility.
“Individuals are not stepping up and playing at a level that is acceptable.
“I don’t think [we got carried away]. I don’t think we’ve done the things that have got us a lot of praise.”