Gerrard knows Rangers have to beat Dons or fans could lose belief in him

ANDY HALLIDAY said a campaign without silverware would be a failure for Rangers and still insists that Tuesday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final replay with Aberdeen is about ‘saving the season’.

For manager Steven Gerrard, though, it may be about maintaining something arguably more important — the belief of the supporter base.

At the moment, he is fulfilling minimum requirements by holding on to second place in the league.

However, as time progresses and two steps forward remain followed by one step back, the more you question what Gerrard is building.

He has won 26 out of 50 fixtures and just two out of 10 against Celtic, Aberdeen and Hibs. Games that Gerrard’s side dominate fizzle out in the final third too often amid doubts over the manager’s nose for changing games.

He spoke about buying a No 10 in January and didn’t do it.

Instead, he signed Steven Davis and Jermain Defoe, who look largely as suspected: guys at the end of their careers who have barely played for a year.

Defoe still plans to be in Glasgow next term and Gerrard needs him to come good — or find a strong replacement for Alfredo Morelos, whose transfer fee should help strengthen in important areas.

Gerrard has got to keep the public with him right now, whether he lifts the Scottish Cup or not.

He also has to make sure his next 50 games deliver a far greater win rate — and doesn’t need to be told what will happen if they don’t.