WE MUST DO BETTER
Gerrard tells blundering backline lessonshave to be learned — and quickly
WHETHER away in Moscow or at home to Motherwell, Steven Gerrard knows Rangers can only build for success upon solid foundations.
None were seen in the Otkritie Arena on Thursday evening. The Ibrox manager slammed his defence for ‘basic’ errors in a 4-3 reverse to Spartak Moscow that ended an 11-game unbeaten Europa League run.
Despite taking the lead three times, hopes of a last-32 place were undermined by a painfully porous resistance to Russian attacks.
It was the polar opposite of the dogged defiance displayed en route to the group stage.
Having lauded his backline then, Gerrard wasn’t slow to criticise when the level of performance so obviously dropped.
‘I think Under-12s or Under-13s can normally clear the ball with either foot,’ he told BT Sport. That seemed a not particularly veiled reference to the own goal scored by Connor Goldson, who sliced a misguided attempt at a right-foot clearance past Allan McGregor.
Back at the Hummel Training Centre, Gerrard struck a more positive tone on the morning after the night before.
Insisting Rangers were punching above their weight in Europe, he admitted it was ‘very important I’m not too heavy or too critical’ when attempting to push players forward.
The 38-year-old’s hope is that lessons will be learned by his defenders. Not just for when the Europa League resumes against Villarreal later this month, but also when dealing with Motherwell’s set-piece power in tomorrow’s Premiership fixture at Ibrox. Rangers leaked three goals to draw at Fir Park back in August.
This schedule of rolling from European tie into domestic challenge is a new experience for many in the Ibrox squad. Not least Goldson.
The 25-year-old has already played 25 games this term. He played only 18 in the two previous seasons combined, partly due to precautionary heart surgery.
Gerrard spent £3million to sign Goldson from Brighton and make him the mainstay of his defence. Partnered by either Nikola Katic or Joe Worrall, the Midlands-born player has been a trusted regular.
That status is unlikely to change. At least for the time being. Gerrard recognises Goldson may have to be rested at some point for his own long-term good.
But it is not a message the centre-back wants to hear.
‘This is the reason the players have come to play as many games as they can — because they have been frustrated at other clubs or they haven’t been able to get a breakthrough,’ said Gerrard.
‘Connor is constantly in my face saying: “Don’t give me a rest, don’t give me a rest, don’t give me a rest”. But there will be a time when I have got to help him. He won’t like that but it is my job.
‘In terms of a lot of our players, all these experiences are new. Regular games, a European run, playing against individuals who are worth £20m or £25m.
‘It’s fantastic for them as Rangers players and they should be really embracing this run.’
Amid all the mayhem in Moscow, it was almost lost that Northern Ireland veteran Gareth McAuley finally made his debut as a stoppage-time substitute.
Now fully fit after signing on a free transfer in September, the 38-year-old gives Gerrard a fourth senior centre-back to call upon.
‘We knew when we were buying Connor at his age and where he is at — him being a Premier League defender — it was about building a defence around him and James (Tavernier),’ insisted Gerrard as he assessed his options.
‘Obviously, Nikola has been bought for the future but really started well. He is probably further ahead than we actually thought but he will be managed slightly differently to Connor.
‘Joe was an opportunity, I was aware of him and we were obviously looking for a player who could play on the left side as well.
We were mainly looking for three centre-backs but when the opportunity came to sign Gareth it wasn’t a big financial outlay, he was desperate to come and it just made sense to cover our backs.’
With Katic and Worrall aged 22 and 21 respectively, the sheer depth of experience offered by McAuley could be invaluable.
‘In certain situations, for sure,’ added Gerrard. ‘He is a big Rangers fan who wanted this move. He realised it would be a squad-player situation so he is professional and has been patient and there will be times when we need his experience and his know-how.
‘Maybe that might be from a beginning of a match or to see a game out, or against a certain opponent who might come and try to bombard us.
‘He went away with Northern Ireland to try to get some volume of work in but came back with an injury which set him back.
‘But he has been on the training pitch for close to a month and we have put some games in his legs behind closed doors. So he is available now.’
Dealing with a bombardment might seem tailor-made for the visit of Motherwell.
Goldson, Katic and Jon Flanagan were deployed in a three-man central defence the last time the clubs met, but saw victory disappear when Peter Hartley scrambled home a last-gasp equaliser.
‘I thought we were found wanting at set-pieces and that’s why we dropped two points,’ reflected Gerrard, who will be without Lassana Coulibaly due to a family bereavement. ‘In general play, we were the better team.
‘We conceded with the last kick of the game when we had enough people capable to deal with it.
‘We didn’t handle Motherwell’s physicality well enough.
‘Motherwell have had some good results against Rangers in recent years and I’ve analysed that.
‘It’s quite clear they will come and be quite physical and direct at times.
‘If they play like they have recently, they’ll play two up top who are mobile and will try to rough us up. We have to cope with that.’