Rangers’ away results have picked up in recent times, as have the performances.
It’s difficult to still make a case for there being an issue on Rangers’ travels, particularly domestically. A 4-1 hammering of Hamilton was followed up with a 2-0 success at St Mirren.
Both of those results meant that Steven Gerrard got the monkey off his back. A couple of away wins had been secured, and finally people were going to stop talking about it.
There’s more to this case than meets the eye, however. Despite both wins, Rangers have still to look convincing on their travels this season. The Hamilton contest, for example, was 1-1 heading into the final 10 minutes. A couple of late penalties and an Alfredo Morelos strike wrapped that one up in nervous circumstances.
St Mirren was similar. Rangers had been held after a lackluster 45 minutes in Paisley. The game was highly-likely to end in a draw heading into the final 10 minutes. Only a fortunate Daniel Candeias cross that looped beyond Craig Samson and in put Rangers in control.
It’s about more than goals being goals
Yes, goals are goals, but Gerrard will be looking for more than fortuity. He wants his men to go to venues such as Hamilton and really stamp their authority on the game. Rangers have still yet to do that.
That’s why December will offer Rangers a real chance to put this monkey to bed for good.
Tough trips are on the way as Rangers get set to face away matches against Hibernian, Hearts, St Johnstone, and Dundee. Whilst Rangers can expect a real battle in the former two, the latter two they really could do with the Ibrox side hammering home their superiority.
When it comes to Tynecastle and Easter Road respectively, anything other than three points is just a bonus. Narrow wins in those matches would be enough for Gerrard to believe his men truly are on their way and have ridden themselves of their away-day woes.
There’s no denying, however, that the same players who look so impressive at Ibrox still struggle on the road. You can only blame certain plastic pitches so much before it’s time to knuckle down and realise it’s your own performances.
December is going to be a testing month. Rangers need to therefore use it to their advantage put the away issue to bed permanently.
