It took only a frustrating 0-0 draw away from home against Livingston for the Rangers fans to turn on Steven Gerrard.
For the first time in a decade, Rangers had the opportunity to put daylight between them and Celtic in the Premiership table. Of course, the only reason for that is because the Hoops’ two games have to be postponed after Boli Bolingoli’s disastrous secret trip to Spain last week.
Now a team with a strong mindset would take this opportunity to put as much gap between them and the opposition as possible. That is certainly not what Steven Gerrard’s side did though as they played out a goalless draw away at Livingston. As a result, this cancels out Celtic’s earlier draw against Kilmarnock and will provide them a mood boost in a week that has barely had anything other than bad news.
Of course, this is nothing new for this Rangers team. Their fans will remember very well the collapse their side suffered following the winter break last season after managing to beat Celtic away at Parkhead for the first time in almost a decade. And it is results like these which will scare the team that the same will happen this season.
As a result, despite being at the top of the table and without having actually conceded a goal yet, Rangers fans already seem to be turning on Steven Gerrard. Clearly they do not have a lot of faith in their manager:
That midfield needed work last season and it’s criminal we haven’t done anything to improve it, so slow and powderpuff it’s unreal
— Four Lads Had A Dream (@4ladshadadream) August 16, 2020
Until we learn to win games like this it will be the same old story for us & 2 years in Gerrard has failed to sort it
Not good enough
Some of the mental gymnastics people are performing to deflect attention and blame away from Gerrard’s - quite blatant - tactical naivety is pretty impressive.
— 𝙍𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙑𝙞𝙚𝙬 (@Rangers_View) August 16, 2020
Selecting players then hoping they will play in a style that defies their natural instincts is going to be the downfall of Gerrard as Rangers manager, unless he finally recognises this. Jack/Kamara against a 6-3-1 is ridiculous.
— Craig Skinner (@craigskinner8) August 16, 2020
It is undeniable that the pressure is higher than it has ever been on both Celtic and the Rangers. Till now though, Steven Gerrard’s side have no signs that they can handle the pressure. But that should not come as a huge surprise after all. Where’s his league medal?