Gerrard: That was marker for 10 fight
display as Ryan Kent’s goal got their Premiership campaign off to a flyer at Pittodrie against 10-man Dons, who had Andy Considine sent off.
Gerrard knows his side were under pressure to get a result with so much at stake this season as they look to halt Celtic’s bid for 10.
But he believes his players responded with an impressive opening- day performance against Derek McInnes’ side.
In five games at Pittodrie as Gers gaffer, it was just Gerrard’s second victory.
Now he wants them to build on it and he said: “It’s a marker for us because all eyes were on us today in the first game.
“When the fixtures came out, everyone was saying: ‘Oh, it’s Aberdeen away, wi l l they drop points?’
“There were questions on us today so we’ll go away pleased at picking up three points and getting a clean sheet. But no one will get carried away.
“Aberdeen ran us all the way to the end and we’ ll dust ourselves down for Europe. We have to build on this now.
“That was the start I was looking for, definitely. We knew it would be a big challenge and tough test here.
“We’ve got big respect for Aberdeen. It’s a difficult place to come so I want to praise my players and give them a lot of credit.
“We were excellent in the first half, played some really good stuff and showed our style.
“In the second half it wasn’t pretty at times but we showed a different side, that we’re capable of hanging in and having the steeliness to win.
“I wanted us to kill the game off and take the points away from Aberdeen. I’m pleased, it’s a big win, a good start and we’re up and running.”
Gerrard revealed afterwards that he’s “very close” to adding players to his squad, with the future of striker Al fredo Morelos still up in the air.
The Colombian wasn’t at his best against Dons but his boss wants more firepower in with Jermain Defoe injured. Despite being linkedked with Young Boys hitman Jean-an-Pierre Nsame, he’s NOT on Gerrard’s radar.
The Ibroxox gaffer also refused to be drawnwn on midfield target Bongani Zungu.
He said:d: “I thought Alfredo did a goodood job today. He dropped in, overloaded the midf ieldd area for us and listened to instructions.
“But wee want him fitter and sharper. He had a couple of chances that, with more game time, he might have got on the end of andnd ki l led the game off for us.
“But itit ’ s important nt
Alfredo stays focused onn Rangers and playss well. The Rangers fans deserve thathat focus – whateverver happens will happen. pen.
“We’re close on a couple of things thatat are brewing away but that’ss not a name (Nsame) we shouldd be linked with.
“There are many other names out theree but I can’t control that. We can’t go much longer with just one fit forward. I want one in yesterday.” sterday.”
Gerrard,d, whose side now go to Bayer Leverkusen for their Europa League second leg tie on Thursday, praised matchwinner Kent and debut defender Leon Balogun.
The Nigerian stopper was handed a start in place of George Edmundson and put in a man-of-the-match display.
Gerrard added: “Leon was outstanding. We trusted him to go in for a debut but this is one of the toughest places to come for an away game.
“But he’s just had a round of applause from the players because they realise how tough a debut it was.
“Ryan was outstanding, he looked really dangerous and put a shift in for the team.
“He has to forget about that performance now and give me it again – that’s what good players do. They do it consistently and relentlessly.”
For once, Steven Gerrard’s side emerged from Pittodrie unscathed as they kicked off their Premiership campaign with a win over Aberdeen.
Too often for this Ibrox side, it’s been a venue where they’ve dropped points, lost players and courted controversy.
But this time Ryan Kent’s f irst- half strike secured a deserved victory and Gerrard’s men were rarely troubled.
Al f redo Morelos even managed to stay on the pitch.
The Rangers manager’s first game in charge two years ago was in the Granite City when the Colombian striker was sent off as they conceded a late Bruce Anderson equaliser.
There was no repeat here as they took three points off Derek McInnes’ side, who were reduced to 10 men themselves after Andy Considine was sent packing following a lunging chal lenge on Rangers sub Scott Arfield.
The result sets Gers up nicely for their Europa League clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday night
But more importantly, there were no slip- ups at Pittodrie as they got their title bid off and running.
Gerrard sprung a surprise with his team selection by giving new centre-back Leon Balogun his debut. The summer capture from Wigan was thrown in alongside fellow former Brighton stopper Connor Goldson at the back, with George Edmundson – who had star ted all of Gers’ pre-season games – relegated to the bench.
And despite constant speculation over his future, Morelos was given the nod to lead the line.
Aberdeen had to do without their two main strikers – Sam Cosgrove and Curtis Main – through injury.
So McInnes put his faith in young Anderson up front – with his new loanee from
Leeds, Ryan Edmondson, on the bench.
Normally, this fixture gets the old ground crackling. Its volatile nature is what makes it one of Scotland’s best.
But there was an eerie atmosphere before kick- off, with no supporters – other than a couple of brave Dons up on a cherry picker watching from outside – the only sounds to be heard were of the players’ shouts and the Granite City seagulls’ squawks.
There was a theory that would suit Rangers more and early on that cer tainly appeared to be the case as