Status quo is Steven’s secret to success
Former Rangers captain TERRY BUTCHER recalls his nightmare season, but tips the Light Blues to overcome Helander blow
Terry Butcher hopes history won’t repeat itself for Rangers this season.
Central defender, Filip Helander, is out for three months, following knee surgery after being stretchered off last weekend in the 2-1 win at St Johnstone.
The Swede will now sit out a huge chunk of the campaign, in what will be a busy domestic and European schedule.
Butcher, a former Ibrox captain, knows how that feels.
The big Englishman missed most of the 1987-88 season with
In season 1987/88, manager Graeme Souness was far from happy, let me tell you!
a broken leg, sustained in an accidental collision with Alex Mcleish against Aberdeen at Ibrox.
Celtic went on to win the Premier League and Scottish Cup in their Centenary year, and Butcher hopes a similar scenario doesn’t befall Rangers when they move into their 150th year.
The Gers legend told The Sunday Post: “It was in the November I broke my leg, and it was just a horrible time.
“I missed out on the rest of the campaign, and also didn’t make the European Championship Finals with England.
“My injury just wouldn’t heal. Day after day, I was willing it on. I wanted to get out and play for Rangers. I wanted to help the team.
“But I couldn’t rush it. I had to be patient, and do my hard hours on the treatment table and in the gym. I also spent time at the FA’S Rehabilitation Centre at Lilleshall.
“Make no mistake, it was a lonely period. But I had the mental strength to cope.
“I also had good team-mates, always looking out for me and making sure I felt part of things, even though I was unable to play.
“Chris Woods was always there for me, and that was appreciated. The likes of Ally Mccoist was also different class. They were all good guys.
“Having a strong support network in the dressing-room will be vital for Filip Helander. There will be times he’ll feel a little bit down, and that’s when the players and the staff really need to help him out.
“He is also a good player, and will be a loss.
“But it may open the door for someone else to step in and take over. It may be someone that Steven Gerrard would expect to make that position his own, or it could be a totally unexpected solution. We will wait and see.
“I just hope that Rangers still have a successful season. In 1987-88 Celtic won the League and we were also knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Dunfermline.
“Manager Graeme Souness was far from happy about that, let me tell you!”
Souness sent Butcher on a family holiday to Miami during his injury in a bid to try to speed up the healing process.
Unfortunately it didn’t work out – and Butcher also had a court case to contend with. He recalled: “Not only was I injured, I also had to go to court after the incident in the Old Firm game with myself, Chris, Graham Roberts and Frank Mcavennie.
“It became known as ‘Goldilocks and The Three Bears’. Yes, it was an eventful period of my career!”
The worst part of all for Butcher was losing the title. They had won it for the first time in nine years the year before, with Butcher heading the clinching goal at Pittodrie.
Thirty-four years ago, the Light Blues were desperate to retain it, and it’s the same situation just now.
The former England skipper wants to see Gerrard and his men win back-to-back Premiership titles, and went on: “It was a fantastic effort last season to win the title. To go unbeaten over 38 games was outstanding.
“There is no doubt that Rangers set the bar very high last season, and the challenge now facing them is to do it all over again.
“Going another 38 games unbeaten was going to be near impossible, and they have tasted defeat, away to Dundee United.
“But they have faced two very big tests in the league this season and they have won both – at home to Celtic and away to St Johnstone last weekend when they came from a goal down to get the three points.
“The Rangers players need to get even more used to them being seen as a major scalp in the Premiership.
“Now that they are champions, they have an even bigger target on their back.
“I see similarities this season to back in 1987/88. Rangers need to show they can retain the title. We wanted to do it, but just fell short.
“But I think Rangers can overcome the many hurdles they will face in the next eight or nine months.
“Steven has built a very good squad, and the players all know their jobs. They are a well-drilled team.
“They just need to stay focused, and make sure that they remember what took them to the title last season.
“There isn’t a need to change too many things – and that can be the secret.
“Sure, there will be a challenge from Celtic. That’s only natural.
“Rangers need to be ready to stand up to it, and Steven will make sure the dressing-room knows exactly what is in front of them.
“Hopefully, they can avoid suspensions at key times, and also not have too many more injuries.
“Losing Filip is far from ideal, but they have the depth to cope, I’m sure.
“I’ve been impressed with Rangers, and they have some quality players in Allan Mcgregor and Steven Davis. Connor Goldson and James Tavernier also know exactly what is required.
“But Steven is key to all of it. He is the manager, and has to be the ultimate leader.
“Having been a leader for Liverpool and England for many years, he knows the score.
“There will be severe moments of pressure in the weeks and months ahead, and I’m sure Steven will show the players and the staff how to deal with it all.
“It’s all about doing what is necessary to get over the line, and win the Premiership again.
“That will always be the priority, and rightly so. There is no better feeling than winning a league title.”
The Ibrox club will unfurl the flag this afternoon before the home clash against Motherwell, one of the clubs Butcher managed, along with Coventry City, Sunderland, Sydney FC, Partick Thistle, Brentford, Inverness Caley Thistle, Hibs, Newport County and the Philippines national side.
Butcher said: “It will be a proud moment for everyone at the football club. They all worked hard to become champions.
“They must savour the moment with the 50,000 Rangers supporters, but then get down to business.
“Motherwell won’t be there to stand back and applaud for 90 minutes. They will be there to cause an upset.”