Stevie G warns Gers IT’S WIN OR BUST
Steven Gerrard says Rangers’ title hopes will go up in smoke if they don’t beat Livingston today. The Ibrox gaffer has told his players to stop getting tunnel vision about Celtic and focus on moving ahead of Kilmarnock and Aberdeen in the table. Gerrard’s side are six points behind Celtic going into today’s clash with Livi. And asked if it was win or bust for them he said: “If you
have ambitions of winning the title, of course it is.
“We have to go into every game now with a cup final mentality and put a run of games together where we find more consistency.
“We’ve missed certain opportunities this season to be in a much stronger position in the league.
“Wednesday was one, Livingston away earlier in the campaign was another. We’ve had performances and results I’ve expected more from but I know that if we get a result in this game we’ll still be within touching distance.
“The job has become more difficult after Kilmarnock. That’s a fact.
“But we cannot just be obsessed with Celtic. Kilmarnock and Aberdeen are there for a reason so we can’t be obsessed with one challenge.
“For us to fight all the way, we obviously need a result at Livingston.”
It ’ s Rangers’ second straight game on a plastic pitch after Rugby Park in midweek but Gerrard will not make it an excuse for a poor performance.
He said: “I ’ m always concerned about plastic pitches because I really don’t like them.
“The last time we were at Livingston, I felt the performance wasn’t there from start to finish.
“We will need to find a performance this time otherwise we’ll be having the same talk again.”
Livingston boss Gary Holt has hit out at the loan system denying him Ryan Hardie against his parent club today.
Gers saw pre- contract signing Jordan Jones score against them for Killie on Wednesday night and Holt said: “It’s the one thing I would moan about in the loan system.
“It’s only in Britain that you’re not allowed to play against your parent club. Every other country in the world, you can.
“At the end of the day I’m paying his wages. I should be allowed to play him.
“You’re not telling me if we get a penalty against Rangers that Ryan Hardie doesn’t want to score it.
“Jordan Jones knows where he’s going but he didn’t hit row Z with his shot, he won the game.”
Meanwhi le, Rangers youngster Ross McCrorie insists he’s not interested in leaving the club in January.
The 20-year-old-has been linked with Swansea but said: “I want to stay here and fight for my place, especially after beating Celtic.”