ALL DOWN TO THE OLD FIRM
The head-to-head between Glasgow giants may decide title, says Gerrard
OLD FIRM games could never be accused of lacking meaning, but Steven Gerrard recognises they have assumed an even greater significance in a season when Glasgow’s great rivals are locked in a duopoly of dominance.
The Rangers manager feels the pressure applied by Celtic’s consistency has sharpened his side’s performances against the rest of the Premiership. And vice-versa.
In such a scenario, Gerrard admits the derby outcomes could be crucial in deciding who ultimately secures supremacy at the end of a compelling campaign.
Rangers head to Parkhead tomorrow trailing their opponents by five points, albeit with a game in hand.
A fair chunk of the explanation for that gap lies in losing September’s Old Firm encounter at Ibrox.
Gerrard’s side have dropped only four further points all season, through draws at Tynecastle and
Pittodrie. Celtic have let slip five thanks to a draw at Easter Road and a surprise defeat against Livingston.
Matching each other blow for blow has otherwise become the norm — in contrast to the ups and downs of Gerrard’s debut term in Scotland.
Approaching the derby on December 29 last year, the respective points tallies were 42 and 39. This year, it’s 52 and 47. With fewer games played.
Rangers won the 2018 festive fixture and the next one at Ibrox, but it didn’t matter in the end. Celtic’s greater solidity against the other ten teams meant an eighth successive league crown was claimed with a nine-point margin.
This time around, much more than local bragging rights are at stake. While adamant nothing would be over with defeat tomorrow, especially with a favourable run of post-winter break fixtures and two more Old Firm games to come, Gerrard didn’t seek to downplay the high-noon showdown when asked how important these head-to-heads could prove in the title race.
‘Last year, they didn’t because it was split 50-50,’ said the 39-year-old, reflecting on the six points each team claimed from derbies.
‘But what happened last year was that a lot of teams were taking points off Celtic and ourselves. So maybe the importance of the Old Firm results wasn’t going to be pivotal.
‘This year looks as if it is taking a different pattern — so far. With all due respect, with the consistency of Celtic and ourselves, it could well boil down to what happens in the Old Firms. It’s difficult to deny that with the pattern the season has taken so far.
‘That’s the reason why it’s so important we get a result at the weekend.
‘I don’t want to disrespect the rest of the league for obvious reasons. Everyone is trying their best to compete with the Old Firm. On Boxing Day, Killie put a fantastic show on to try to nullify and frustrate us. Aberdeen took Celtic to the wire just a few days ago.
‘So teams are doing everything they can, but what’s happened is that Celtic have improved and we’ve improved.
‘I think the pressure from each side is bringing the best out of both teams.’
Gerrard is hardly likely to be complaining at how far first love Liverpool have stormed ahead in the English Premier League as they seek to end a 30-year wait for the title.
But he does feel Scotland should savour having what looks like a genuine title contest on its hands.
‘In any league, the neutrals or those who really appreciate football want the title race to be as exciting as it can be,’ added Gerrard.
‘Where we stand at the moment is probably one of the most exciting positions for a long time.
‘Our aim is to be as consistent and hungry and good as we can be, right to the very end. Whatever the result is at the weekend.
‘If we win, it obviously puts us in much better shape. If we draw, it’s a positive result. But if we were to lose the game, it would obviously be a setback and make the challenge a lot more difficult for us. The players are aware of it and so am I.
‘But this is what being part of Rangers should be about. We should all be under pressure and involved in big games in Europe and domestically. It means we are doing something right.
‘It’s a big, important three points but there is so much football to be played after the break.
‘We play nine home games out of 15, so we are more than capable of going on a really strong run after the New Year.
‘There is no getting away from it — it will certainly be helpful if we go and get the result we want this weekend. But I am not going to buy into the season being over or dead, or that we will down tools if it doesn’t go our way.’
Gerrard had no complaints about losing to Celtic in September, readily admitting that Lennon’s team were better on the day. The 1-0 reverse in the Betfred Cup final earlier this month was, however, a different matter.
Christopher Jullien’s winner not being ruled out for offside added insult to the injury of a dominant performance that met an unpassable wall in the shape of Fraser Forster. The Parkhead goalkeeper saved an Alfredo Morelos penalty and also denied the Colombian striker on numerous occasions from open play.
It was a painful afternoon for the 23-year-old, raising questions about whether he was almost trying too hard to break his duck as his run of derby blanks reached 11.
That is not something that concerns Gerrard. While declining to confirm that Morelos would start ahead of Jermain Defoe, the Ibrox boss offered the firmest backing to a player who has scored in each of his three games since Hampden.
‘I want all my players to try too hard, I would definitely rather go with that than them not caring or not being bothered individually or collectively,’ countered Gerrard.
‘Alfredo has to do the job we are asking of him as a team, in and out of possession. Part of that is to try and create chances, be a team player, and when the big moments come to take them.
‘That is what he gets paid to do. He shouldn’t go in thinking about himself or what has gone on in the past. He should be thinking: “What do I need to do for my team to try and get us a positive result?”
‘We have got a decision to make in terms of who starts the game, but of course he will play some part. I have got no doubt that he will be a threat and be dangerous.
‘It will only be a matter of time before the Old Firm goal comes and let’s hope it is like the buses where I am from.’