STEVEN Gerrard has called on his team to give him more after watching them come from behind to defeat St Mirren.
The champions won 2-1 in Paisley thanks to first half goals from Kemar Roofe from the penalty spot and Alfredo Morelos who notched his 100th Rangers goal.
The Light Blues boss spoke to the various media outlets after the game and Derek Clark analyses what was said.
Gerrard on the result
"We are pleased with the result and the outcome of the game but it's taken us 20-25 minutes to get going.
"I thought we were second best in the opening stages, St Mirren started really aggressive, they were on the front foot and they were the better team.
"We conceded a poor goal from our point of view, it was a square pass.
"To be fair to the kid it's an excellent finish and I thought he played well throughout the game. But from that moment our reaction and our character was top drawer.
"We've managed to flip the game before half-time and we've managed the second half really well.
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"We intended to go and get the third goal but it didn't feel like it was coming so it was about shutting up shop for the latter stages.
"I'm not going to use Thursday night as an excuse. To be fair to Jim he had his team out the blocks really quick.
"St Mirren played some good stuff and they deserved to go into the lead.
"From my point of view I need to look at that and ask why that was the case.
"We need to be better at starting games after Europe, especially away from home that are going to be challenging. We need to come out the blocks a lot sharper."
Rangers were well off the pace for the first half of the opening 45 minutes and as much as St Mirren deserve credit for the way they got at Rangers, it will be a concern for Gerrard that his team haven’t started well, not for the first time this season.
Many people will cite the 12pm kick-off time as a possible reason and it may very well have a psychological effect on both the players and the fans in the ground but, as Gerrard highlights, it’s not just early kickoffs where the Light Blues have struggled this season.
That being said, the response before half time was the mark of champions and despite not putting the game to bed in the second half, they never looked under any real danger.
Gerrard on Morelos hitting 100 Rangers goals
“It was a bit of good play which was rare from us today that got Alfredo his goal so congratulations to him.
"From his personal point of view it's fantastic and for everyone connected with the club, we are all very proud of that.
"But for me, he needs to go on now and have more targets and aim for more and be hungry for more goals.
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"He's definitely got the ability and the talent and we'll provide the service.
"He's just got to go and execute.
"It was a fantastic moment and that's what we want our No.9s to do, run through the goal.
"We know we've got the service from the sides, it was a fantastic cross from James.
"But 100 goals for any club at any level is a magnificent achievement and I said last week he will smash 100 and hopefully go on to get more for Rangers."
At long last Alfredo Morelos has his 100th Rangers goal. The Colombian was perhaps fortunate to be included in the starting XI given his recent barren spell in front of goal and patchy form but he showed great striker’s instinct to head home what proved to be the winner. His celebration with the supporters was a joy to behold and shows you just how much it meant to him.
As Gerrard says though, it’s all about that next target and he has the ability to score many more goals for Rangers.
Gerrard on Allan McGregor omission
“We are going to have to [rest him].
“He’s at that age. He’s made a decision for us to play on, and have had that chat and it was about me saying to Allan at times we are going to have to look after him.
"We want Allan fit for the rest of the season, he is so important for us, but I can’t ask him to go game, game game.
“His body is at a stage where he needs looking after at times.”
This was an interesting sight to see McGregor dropped from the matchday squad altogether with Jon McLaughlin between the sticks and Robby McCrorie preferred on the bench.
Gerrard’s point is understandable however, McGregor turns 40 in January and having played two games in five days it makes sense to turn to McLaughlin to deputise as he has done for several domestic matches this season and last.
Rangers are blessed with three fantastic goalkeepers and have the luxury of giving McGregor a rest completely. There will come a point when McGregor will hang up his gloves but it’s an area of the pitch Gerrard need not worry given the talent at his disposal.
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