STAYING POWER
Walters urges Rangers to put together a long unbeaten run and prove pedigree
THE first advantage in a long Premiership title race has swung Rangers’ way after Celtic could only draw at Rugby Park. A two-point lead after two matches clearly means little in terms of the 38-game prize.
But it does add another little sliver of fascination to a season already imbued with historic significance.
Just how might Steven Gerrard’s side cope if they remain in front in the weeks ahead? To Ibrox favourite Mark Walters, proving they have staying power is the key psychological question the Rangers players must answer if they are to claim legendary status as the men who stopped Celtic’s ten-in-a-row bid.
The course taken in each of the past two seasons obviously cannot be repeated.
In firm contention at the midway point, the Ibrox outfit unravelled just as it seemed they had a chance of glory.
‘It is a different kind of pressure when you are out in front,’ said ex-winger Walters, who won three successive titles with Rangers between 1989 and 1991.
‘They have been second for a long time, which is not good enough and that adds even more pressure.
‘The players will be walking around the stadium and seeing all the things the club have won before. They want to emulate the success of previous teams.
‘At Rangers, you cannot accept second best. It has been that long and is a bit like Liverpool, who went 30 years without winning the title.
‘Now Rangers have gone nine years without winning the Premiership. But if you want to become a legend, you need to do that. There are some good players at Rangers and, hopefully, they will show that this season.’
Defeating Aberdeen and St Mirren without conceding a goal counts as a satisfactory start. With 11 more league games to come before the end of October, Walters sees an opportunity to at least apply some early pressure on Celtic.
‘The Premiership is a marathon, not a sprint,’ he continued. ‘If I was a betting man — and, thankfully, I’m not — I would have put money on Rangers winning the league last year at the halfway point.
‘They had a great start, beat Celtic at Parkhead for the first time in a long time and were looking really good.
‘But the second portion of the season didn’t go well.
‘This time, they have to put the big runs together — ten, 12, 15 games without losing.
‘If they can do that, it will be a huge psychological boost for them and the supporters. Even in my time, the supporters could get very nervous and that could breed onto the pitch.
‘If they can do a ten or 15-game spell of not losing, that will put down a marker to say they mean business this season.’
Walters was at Hampden Park yesterday to help conduct the draw for the group stage of the Betfred Cup. Then sponsored by Skol, the League Cup delivered his first trophy as a Rangers player when Aberdeen were defeated in the 1988 final.
It was a success that built belief on the way towards starting the nine-in-a-row era at Ibrox.
With Celtic now threatening to break the shared title record, Gerrard has to deliver a tangible reward. Silverware in his third season is deemed essential.
‘Frankly, yes,’ said Walters. ‘He has been here a few years now and Rangers is about trophies. By hook or by crook, they need a trophy this year. Without a doubt.
‘I don’t think Stevie himself would be happy without winning a trophy. He was a fantastic player and won so much. It’s common sense he wants to do the same as a manager.
‘When we won the League Cup, it set us up to win the league that season. The same can happen if Rangers win the Betfred Cup this season.
‘It would help build confidence and camaraderie. ‘Steven has been at the club for a few years now and he has to win a trophy. That is how you judge Rangers. ‘To not win one in the last few years is unbelievable given the squad he has here.’ Walters hopes Rangers can retain Alfredo Morelos despite the persistent speculation about a move away from Glasgow. While a significant sale could help to combat Celtic’s financial advantage in the long term, the 56-year-old doesn’t feel this is the right time to cash in. ‘I don’t think selling Morelos is a good situation for Rangers,’ argued Walters. ‘He’s still a young player with a lot to show. ‘There’s no point having the money in the bank when it should be on the pitch in players. I feel at the moment they need to keep players of that calibre. The money will come through playing in Europe and so on. ‘It’s a chicken-and-egg situation. They need to keep these kind of players then they will win trophies and get more money in anyway. I’m sure the supporters would rather he was here scoring goals. ‘Rangers have always had exciting centre-forwards. When Morelos is on his game and scoring, he’s a fantastic player.’
Mark Walters was speaking at the launch of Premier Sports’ live and exclusive coverage of the Betfred Cup and Celtic’s first three European qualifiers (subject to progression). Premier Sports is available on Sky, Virgin TV and the Premier Player. Prices start from £9.99 per month.