Alfredo has scored 17 goals for us this season. Does that really make him out of his depth?
SAYS STEVEN GERRARD
THE claim might have come from someone who understands the Old Firm environment, but that didn’t give it any credibility in Steven Gerrard’s eyes.
Gordon Strachan’s belief that some Rangers players cannot handle playing for a club of this scale is one their manager flatly rejects. Especially when the suggestion is directed towards Alfredo Morelos.
Picking out the Colombian striker for special mention, Strachan suggested a struggle to adapt to the relentless pressure of life at Ibrox was at the root of disciplinary problems that have pockmarked his season.
Gerrard claimed he had been unaware of the headlines generated by the ex-Celtic and Scotland manager. Even so, he would point towards the 17 goals Morelos has scored this season as a counter-argument.
That tally includes two in Glasgow in October against tonight’s Europa League opponents, Rapid Vienna. Win the Group G rematch in the Austrian capital and Rangers will have booked continental football beyond Christmas for the first time in eight seasons. That is not a position, argues Gerrard, that suggests a squad weighed down by the shirt they wear.
He shares the disappointment of bleak displays against Aberdeen and Dundee that leaked five league points and ensured their stay at the summit was brief. But then that had also been the first time Rangers had led the standings at this stage of a campaign since 2011.
Gerrard sees no reason for despair because a team largely assembled in the summer has endured some sticky moments. Nor will he dwell upon Strachan’s opinions.
‘I wasn’t aware of any comments that were made,’ said the 38-yearold. ‘But if that’s what was said I’ll have to disagree with the Alfredo one. He’s scored 17 goals and his form is very good. I’ll have to disagree with that one.
‘It doesn’t irk me. If, when Gordon Strachan was the manager of Celtic, I had an opinion on Celtic then I don’t think Gordon would have taken too much notice of it.
‘So I don’t think I’m going to take too much notice of what an exCeltic manager says about my team.’
Of course, the best possible way for his players to prove Strachan wrong would be by recording victory over Rapid to secure a feat few would have predicted at the outset of the campaign.
‘They have an opportunity to do that every time they pull on a Rangers shirt,’ insisted Gerrard, considering the need to meet the expectations inherent at Ibrox.
‘I think so far this season they have done the fans very proud. Seven days ago we were sitting top of the league with an opportunity to progress to the last 32 of the Europa League.
‘That suggests to me the players can handle the shirt and that we’ve taken huge strides forward.
‘On the back of two results that weren’t good for us, and on the back of two performances that weren’t good for us, we understand that there will be external opinions.
‘But I think it’s important we don’t focus on what’s being said and just focus on ourselves. I have experienced the highs and lows at another big football club.
‘We have good people inside our dressing room and we hurt when we don’t get the results we are looking for — we all do.
‘It’s important we all stick together and try to get that win as soon as we can. Tomorrow is a fantastic opportunity to spin the feeling again, if you like.
‘A week ago, I remained calm and humble when we went top of the league so after a couple of bad results I am not going to panic and think everything is not right. We just need to focus on our football. Tomorrow is huge.’
The occasion will be attended by a suitably vast Rangers support. Given an official allocation in the region of 2,500, as many as 10,000 Ibrox fans are expected to descend on the Austrian capital.
Rapid intend to set aside a section within their Allianz Stadion for travelling supporters who have tickets for home areas.
‘It can help the players,’ said Gerrard. ‘The fans are coming here in their thousands to get behind the team and to show their support. That should be a huge motivation. It was for me as a player.
‘For me, it’s no surprise. I have had incredible support since I walked through the door. This club has had magnificent support for many, many years so, as I say, it is no surprise.
‘As manager, I want them to be safe and enjoy the game. I don’t want to give them a message about the game, I want my players to give the message by giving the supporters a performance of which they can be proud because the rewards are worth it.’
The influx underlines the huge hunger within a support starved of significant European outings.
As such, Gerrard would contest Rangers have already outstripped expectations by reaching this point.
One defeat in 13 continental matches is an admirable record to reflect upon, but that doesn’t diminish the desire to push on further.
‘We want to keep trying to achieve things,’ stressed Gerrard. ‘I think we have done extremely well in Europe so far. I think we have overachieved.
‘I don’t think many people gave us a chance to qualify through four qualifying rounds.
‘I don’t think many people gave us a chance when the draw was made because ourselves and Rapid were huge underdogs.
‘So tomorrow is a chance for us to prove that we belong here and are capable of going a stage further.
‘But, whatever happens, on the European journey the players have done themselves proud.’
Rangers flops are out their depth, warns Strachan