Gerrard outwits Rodgers By Fraser Mackie
STEVEN GERRARD got the better of old Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers in a pulsating Old Firm clash at Ibrox yesterday.
Ryan Jack’s strike secured the first Rangers league victory over Celtic since March 2012, bringing the two clubs level on points as the Scottish Premiership breaks for a winter shutdown.
‘It’s a fantastic result for myself and the team but this is about the supporters,’ said Gerrard. ‘They’ve waited a long time for an Old Firm victory.
‘The performance was really, really good. I asked the players to deliver their A game — and it was an A plus. To a man all over the pitch we were better than Celtic.
‘We won every single one v one. We were more aggressive, we created more, we could’ve won by a bigger margin.’
Andy Halliday stood in at full back for injured Borna Barisic while winger Ryan Kent was outstanding on his first 90 minutes since November 3.
‘Andy Halliday was excellent,’ added Gerrard. ‘He deserves this moment. He’s been on the end of some really tough Old Firm results.’
‘Andy had the most difficult job of our 11 stopping a player in form, James Forrest, who is a top player. He did an excellent job.’
Celtic boss Rodgers said: ‘The best team won.
‘We had a lot of unforced mistakes and didn’t create as much as we’d like. With players missing and unfit, it took a bit of strength from us.
‘They will feel the hurt of the day but it will make them better going forward. It’s collective.
‘Whenever we lose, I assume responsibility as the manager but sometimes the other team play better than you.’