SLINGING THE BLUES
Gerrard struck rock bottom after shock loss to Accies but had to lift himself quickly for his players
Steven Gerrard felt at rock bottom when Rangers suffered a shock loss at home to Hamilton eight months ago.
But despite feeling as low as ever during his time at Ibrox the manager couldn’t let the bitter disappointment linger – because it was his job to lift his confidence-sapped players. Gerrard knows he has a huge responsibility as Ibrox gaffer. But he stressed he needs to manage himself before he manages his squad – and that was why he had to lift himself in the wake of that 1- 0 defeat. It looked like the beginning of the end as the shellshocked former England ace spoke in his post-match press conference. Just five days earlier he’d admitted to considering his future after a Scottish Cup defeat against struggling Hearts at Tynecastle ended any realistic chance of silverware for a second successive season. He thought he’d sunk to an all-time low in Gorgie only for Hamilton to come along and inflict a defeat that left him almost lost for words. Yet as he prepares to welcome Brian Rice’s men back to Govan today the picture is very different as Gers sit nine points clear of rivals Celtic in the Premiership.
They say you have to hit rock bottom before you can reach the top – and as he reflected on how he felt that night , Gerrard said: “My job is to manage people but before I manage people I have to manage myself.
“You know, the next day was a new day and we had to move on and lift people. “That is what I’m paid to do. It was a disappointing time for us as a group together and we don’t want to experience that again. “So it is important that we go into this fixture with the right attitude and mentality. “I am sure we are going to go and create a lot of chances
The defeat to Hamilt at home low on was .. but the a day was next a new and we day had to move on
because we have got that type of player in the squad and the group.
“The defeat at home to Hamilton last season was certainly a low. I don’t want to pay Accies a disservice because they deserved the result.
“If you don’t take your chances, if you are not clinical in front of goal and you don’t show that hunger to go and score goals, it can come and bite you on the backside.
“That is what happened that night. It was a smash and grab.
“You have to pay Hamilton respect. They came to Ibrox, did a job and took three points from us. But it was certainly a low from our point of view.
“It is about us trying to execute in front of goal and take maximum points.
“It is a new game. We have to forget about what has happened in the past.
“The improvement is probably down to a combination of di f ferent factors but there has definitely been a shift in our mindset. The players have come back after lockdown really hungry and in the zone.
“They look as if they want to learn from their experiences together. The hunger is there.
“They know what we have to do and what we can’t afford to happen.
“I have been pleased with the mindset and application from the players but we need to show we can continue this.
“We must show that we can go the distance – and the only way to do that is to keep this level of consistency going.”
After the final whistle at Ibrox today, Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack and keeper Jon McLaughlin will turn their attention to helping Scotland reach a first major tournament in 23 years in Thursday’s Euro play-off final against Serbia.
Midf ielder
Jack started the semifinal shootout win over
Israel for
Steve
Clarke’s men while McLaughlin is a key member of the squad.
Former England captain Gerrard knows the value of playing on the big international stage after featuring at six major tournaments as he won 114 caps for his country.
And he admitted it would be a huge boost if Scotland can triumph in Belgrade.
He said: “It is a fantastic experience (to play at a major tournament). I am sure all the Scottish players, as young boys, dreamed of representing their country and also doing that in a major competition.
“It would be huge if Scotland qualify and everyone is working as hard as we can to make the name of Scotland be respectable and proud and get it back where it should be.
“It would be another huge step towards that if they beat Serbia so I wish the lads well.
“I am proud of all my players who go away and represent their countries and I will be keeping an eye on all of them.
“Of course I want Scotland to qualify because I have players involved – they are my players and I am proud to see them play. They are close, they have got one more step to go.
“They have to go there on Thursday and leave everything on the pitch and do the Scottish supporters proud.
“If they do then I am sure they can get the job done. I just hope they come back fit and healthy.
Gers veteran Steven Davis knows what it’s like to star at a major tournament after leading Northern Ireland to Euro 2016 and he is also in play-off final action against Slovakia.
The midfielder is in top form, despite the international skipper being just a few months short of his 36th birthday.
He was a standout in Gers’ thrilling 3- 3 Europa League draw against Benfica in Lisbon in midweek.
Gerrard talked him up after the game but insists contract extension talk is premature.
He said: “I was asked about Steven after the game and my answer was that he was in scintillating form.
“He is a top professional, fantastic to work with and we need to try and keep Steven in this place between now and the end of the season.
“If we do, I am sure he will contribute to the team well.
“But it is too early to discuss contracts at the moment.
“We need to keep focusing on football and that is something myself and Ross Wilson will discuss privately with certain players, agents and their representation at the right time.
“At the moment, all the focus needs to be on winning games.
“When the time is right we will discuss Steven’s future in private. And then when there is an update we will tell you.”