Rangers fans should be encouraged when they hear Glenn Middleton on Steven Gerrard and his motivational pep-talk.
The Rangers manager left the winger in no doubt as to what was expected of him against Ayr United last night. Middleton then came up with the goods and then some as he netted a brace in a fine display. Rangers ultimately won the game 4-0, with Middleton grabbing the second and fourth goals.
He’s been the much talked about young talent around the Hummel Training Centre these days. His development is still long-term, but he’s proving he can do a job in the here and now too.
So what did Gerrard say to Middleton to make him thrive in the environment? Quite simple – give Ayr hell.
Speaking to the media today, the left-winger praised his manager for his motivation pre-match talk.
“The manager just told me to give the right-back pure hell. I’m always going to go at someone – as that’s just what I do. I am not going to say I am the most technical player in the world because I’m not.
“I’m just lucky to have good players in the team that help me out and I have been lucky the manager has been really good with me. The manager has been brilliant, it’s been a dream come true to get into the first team.
“It’s just the case of taking the chance to show the manager can trust me in any situation. Everything just adds up.”
Left in no doubt
Middleton was clearly left in no doubt as to what his manager expected of him. He produced a stunning display to back up his impressive appearances against Villarreal and Dundee respectively.
What’s so telling here is how enthusiastic the youngster comes across. His desire to be as good as he can be is infectious, and it’s all stemming from the perfectionist that is his manager.
Gerrard is instilling belief into not only the starting XI, but the fringe-players too. There can’t be any other reason why the likes of Andy Halliday has a new lease of life at Ibrox for example.
It’s been clear during the early part of his tenure that Gerrard just has a way of firing up his players. One of the key makings of a manger is making your players play for you. He embeds so much trust into them that they want to do well for him. There’s both a confidence and a slight positive arrogance to this newly-formed side.
Middleton is symbolic of this Rangers team in that he’s nowhere near the finished article. There’s plenty of development left in both him and this team, but there’s such a belief in the side now.
A lack of self-confidence really set the club back over the last couple of years. They didn’t have the belief that they could go and trouble sides in Scotland, particularly the top ones. Gerrard seems to be drilling that quality back into the club and into each individual.
Encouragement like he gave Middleton is exactly the kind of small touches that will have long-term gains.
