Gerrard's Rangers blueprint that can inspire Clement

The Old Firm fixture at Ibrox last month stands as a missed opportunity for Rangers. Now the momentum and the feelgood factor are there to be grasped, top spot in the standings there to be collected. As recent times have shown, it is far easier said than done.

In the last five seasons, Rangers have won just two games at the home of their fiercest rivals. The first of those victories – a 2-1 triumph in December 2019 – ended a barren run going all the way back to October 2010 and the day that a Glenn Loovens own goal and Kenny Miller brace earned Walter Smith’s side all three points. The years were torturous for Rangers as the teams guided by Mark Warburton and Pedro Caixinha were outclassed on the park and in the dugout.

Steven Gerrard changed it all. Ryan Jack broke the derby hoodoo at Ibrox and Nikola Katic ended it at Parkhead. Gerrard had to alter the mindset first and foremost. His side were not dominant in the derby in terms of results, but they were never turned over and never uncompetitive. They were bullish rather than bullied and had big players who stood up in the big moments as game-changers and match-winners. Gerrard had a tactical approach that allowed Rangers to dictate these games and they were proactive rather than reactive as, supported by the belief that was instilled in them by their manager and their achievements, Rangers chipped away at Celtic before blowing them away to clinch league flag 55.

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The game that Katic scored the winner in ultimately didn’t deliver any silverware. Rangers moved within two points, and still had a game in hand, but were unable to convert their trajectory into the title as they stumbled too often in the second half of the season once again.

There is a chance that even if Clement’s side win the battle on Saturday they will not win the war. Yet the significance of an Old Firm win would still be clear as Rangers seek to halt a winless sequence that the last four managers have contributed to. Whether it is this season or next, titles won’t be won unless matches against Celtic are.

The last winner arrived, perhaps ironically or somewhat poetically, after 55 minutes had elapsed. In the 56th, Katic rose to emphatically head beyond Fraser Forster. It was a goal the Croatian watched time after time in the months and seasons that followed, one that had been planned long before it was executed. Katic had dreamed of scoring a goal like that – a big game-winner, one that resonated with his teammates and his supporters – since he was a kid and those that were tucked away in the corner of Parkhead or watched on from afar can still visualise the cross, the header and the celebrations, both after the goals and at the final whistle.

Gerrard was at the heart of those scenes. It was the most visceral and emotive moment of his tenure to date. The roar down the camera lens was raw before another bellowed in the direction of the away supporters. He leapt into the arms of Borna Barisic before being greeted by Connor Goldson and James Tavernier and the embrace with Katic was akin to a proud father congratulating his son.

“It feels the best right now,” Gerrard said once the 800-strong away support had departed and he had gathered his composure to take a seat in the media room. “I don't want to take anything away from the fact we have just come out of a Champions League-level group to qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League. But Celtic are a fantastic team.

"You only have to look at what they have achieved in recent years. They have serial winners in their team. This is a big challenge for me and the players - but we are doing everything we can to take the challenge to them. That's what we need to keep doing.

“It's emotional. You can see that by my reaction after the game. It's a big moment for the team and the club. It's been through too much pain here, too many defeats and setbacks and knocks, so it's a big win, a huge win.”

Gerrard had emphasised the importance of winning at Parkhead during the pre-game meeting with his squad. Like Rangers had done with Jack’s winner the previous year, they had to overcome a mental hurdle, had to break down a mental barrier and prove that Celtic could be beaten. Katic turned the ambition into reality after Ryan Kent had given Rangers the lead with a wonderfully crafted and sumptuously finished goal that saw him sweep the ball home from outside the area.

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Rangers did not have it all their own way, but there was an assuredness about Gerrard’s side that hadn’t been seen for so long in this fixture. It has not been seen often enough since. An Odsonne Eduoard equaliser just before the break did not derail the visitors and this was a day for stalwarts to come to the fore as well as new heroes. Allan McGregor saved a Ryan Christie penalty and Steven Davis produced a masterful midfield display, while also twice clearing Christopher Jullien headers off the line as Rangers made amends for their League Cup final defeat a couple of weeks previously.

Katic knew that was where his chance would come from. Countryman Barisic – a close friend and a source of comfort in the difficult days that would follow for Katic – had a hand in his most famous moment as a conversation during the warm-up resulted in an Old Firm winner.

It was so nearly Tavernier that provided the assist. Katic attacked a Tavernier delivery from the right but couldn’t get the required connection. It was confirmation that the plan would work, though. From the other side, Barisic’s cross was just asking to be headed goalwards.

Katic took up a position midway between the penalty spot and the 18-yard line. Goldson and Joe Aribo were just ahead of him, while Alfredo Morelos was at his back. Scott Brown was flatfooted and by the time Kris Ajer realised that Katic was winning the ball first, it was already too late. The momentum was all with the Croatian as he made the run towards the front post, towered in the air and bulleted a header to Forster’s right. The keeper barely moved.

The seconds that followed were pure elation for Katic. He landed back on the ground, turned and immediately headed for the away support. An outpouring that was as thunderous as his header followed a punch to the air. Katic had delivered a knockout blow at Parkhead at long last.

Those who were behind enemy lines were lost in a whirlwind of emotions. Parkhead had been the scene of too many tough afternoons, too many humbling defeats that served to re-affirm the gulf across Glasgow as Rangers sought to reclaim the bragging rights and the silverware. This was a win for the fans. They had been behind the goal when Pedro Mendes almost burst the net or when Ugo Ehiogu produced one of the great Old Firm finishes, they had seen Gregory Vignal and Nacho Novo score in quick succession. Further back, they had partied at Parkhead as the title was won.

When Goldson netted both goals in a 2-0 win in October 2020, Gerrard’s side were on their way to achieving that target once again. That triumph stands as the last away win for Rangers in this fixture and there was, of course, nobody there to see it. That doesn’t diminish the value of it, but a victory this time around – with 60,000 in green and white against them – would be a real statement from Clement’s side. Come next term, travelling fans will thankfully have the chance to savour the derby once again.

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Players who score Old Firm winners are remembered for a long time. Teams who win titles, and especially those who win trebles, are remembered forever. This term could yet be a false dawn for Clement, but it will also be one last shot at glory for many of these players.

The coming days and weeks require no hyperbole or selling. This side is not the finest to ever pull on the jersey, and certainly not the finest to ever challenge for a treble. Yet their own place in the Ibrox annuls and Scottish football folklore could now come.

A win over Celtic would be a significant stride towards legendary status. Rangers need to transform their Parkhead fortunes and end an unacceptable sequence. Clement needs his own version of Katic to produce a winner that could have even greater consequences for Rangers.