As Rangers defeated Hibs, the outpouring of emotions from the stands, the management team, and the players was evident.
Everyone associated with the Gers knows that this match was a big one and earning a result in the game – especially after Celtic’s victory at Aberdeen – was key to keeping up early season momentum.
But once again Rangers struggled to put in a complete performance and continued the trend of grinding out results despite never quite playing at their best.
However, there’s something to be said in the reaction to the result and what it means to everyone involved about the message being sent from within Rangers.
Perhaps everyone has been a bit fractured in the early part of this campaign and there is now clear calls for unity within Rangers as the season gets into full flow.
The Gers have had a hugely disrupted campaign with key players missing for every match and Steven Gerrard struggling to put out a settled XI.
Speaking to the media after the game, Gerrard made no apologies for his emotion and claimed that everyone at the club is “going to need each other” in what is a complex season.
“There’s nothing wrong with getting emotional,” said Gerrard.
“I really enjoyed that today, I really enjoyed our performance, a top of the table clash against a really strong team.
“I think for the majority of the game we’ve controlled it, we’ve played some really nice football and we’ve found our invention and our variety in the final third.
“We’re a lot closer to where we want to be after today’s performance and listen, the players, the support, the staff we’re going to need each other, to lift each other, over the course of the season.
“That was the reason I wanted to show some emotion at the end of the game and I make no apology for that.”
Gerrard’s comments also came before Michael Beale snapped back at a supporter for complaints regarding the Gers’ performances on Twitter.
Beale pointed out the statistical success of the last two seasons and urged the fan to get behind the team rather than on their back.
https://twitter.com/MichaelBeale/status/1444715328274108419
It’s clear that whilst frustrations can persist regarding performance at times the backroom staff want a more unified approach to the club’s exploits this season.
Rangers remain unsettled with injury and it’s been a difficult period yet so many players are stepping up and producing time and again, particularly domestically.
Meanwhile, Rangers fans are in for a fortnight of popcorn as rival supporters continue to meltdown over the sending off of Ryan Porteous v Hibs.
