Rangers boss Steven Gerrard talks coping with pressure and the need to fix things after Aberdeen draw

The Light Blues fought back from two goals down to salvage a point against Aberdeen but the vast majority inside Ibrox were far from happy.

Derek Clark assess what the Rangers boss had to say to the media following the game.

Gerrard on the performance

“I think you’ve heard this record on a couple of occasions at home, that’s the third game we’ve obviously drawn so there’s a few things that need fixing that’s for sure. We won’t try and cover that up.

“It was always going to be a tough game. Aberdeen were on the back of a good result at the weekend and obviously the rivalry, it’s always a difficult match but when you go and gift them the first goal and then you lose a duel in the box from a set play and go 2-0 down, the challenge becomes more tough.

“We have to try things and force things and throw different things at it to try and get back in the game when really that’s not us.

“Normally we play in control, in a certain way where the organisation’s there and we play a stylish game on the back of that.

READ MORE: Rangers boss Steven Gerrard makes 'no excuses' call after emotional night at Ibrox

“There was a lot of it that we didn’t recognise as a staff and we need to fix a few things moving forward.”

This is a concern for both the coaching staff and supporters alike. With November fast approaching Rangers still seem to be stumbling from game to game with no visible shoots of an upturn in performance levels. Gerrard is right when he says they gifted the Dons two goals, it was yet more defensive errors and, given the gap at the top of the league has narrowed, it’s vital it’s addressed before more damage is inflicted.

Gerrard on the players' mindset following Walter Smith’s passing

“There’ll be no excuses.

“Of course, the last 24-48 hours have been tough for everyone connected to the club, not just people at Rangers, but the football world, the media, people who have been lucky enough to spend time with Walter.

“I think the tributes have been very fitting for him and his family, they should be really proud of what he achieved here at Rangers and at other clubs but also the human being he was.

“So it has been tough but that had nothing to do with how we looked and how we wanted it to look so there will be certainly no excuses.”

READ MORE: Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass claims two bad refereeing decisions cost his side victory over Rangers at Ibrox

There’s no getting away from the fact it was a sombre evening at Ibrox given the sad passing of club legend Walter Smith the previous day and it’s bound to have had a mental impact on both the players and management team.

It’s easy to say it shouldn’t have had an impact on performance levels and if it was a stand-alone poor display in among better showings then the argument may have carried weight.

Gerrard on the fans

“I thought the fans were tremendous. In the 73rd minute, the noise, the support, the way they tried to get behind the team at 2-0, I thought the fans were terrific tonight.

“It’s been tough for them because they’ve lost an icon, they’ve lost a legend, they’ve lost someone they love but we need to give our fans more from a home point of view otherwise we’re going to put a lot more pressure on ourselves in terms of the away fixtures.”

Gerrard was right to credit the supporters for their backing. It was an understandably solemn atmosphere outside the ground in the lead up to kick-off, the minute silence was impeccably observed inside the ground while the Tifo display from the Union Bears was a sight to behold along with their constant singing in recognition of Smith’s achievements.

When Tavernier blasted home the equaliser you felt Ibrox shake as the fans reckoned a winner was on the cards but it wasn’t to be. At full-time, the fans made their feelings clear: they were far from happy with what they had just witnessed. Rightly so.

Gerrard on the pressure of being champions

“I don’t see that on a daily basis. I don’t see it in individuals. We’ve spoken internally about accepting that and taking that responsibility and that pressure.

“I think whether you win a league here or you don’t, before you sign on the dotted line you’ve got to accept that this is a high-pressure football club that demands winning football, a draw’s no good in any game, a defeat’s a crisis.

“You know what you’re signing up for so we have to accept that. I do, we do.”

This is an interesting point - and a valid one, given the level of performance being produced.

Having interviewed Colin Hendry before the start of the season, he said defending a league title is extremely difficult given there is that extra pressure and responsibility that Gerrard has alluded to here.

It’s a different kind of pressure the players have to deal with and, on current showings, it seems it’s something they’re struggling with.