Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has bitten back at a journalist who suggested his side are not quite reaching the heights of last season as he previewed the match with Sparta Prague.
The Ibrox gaffer was speaking to the press ahead of the Gers’ trip to the Czech Republic to play the Pavel Vrba’s side in the Europa League.
But as one journalist asked if a good performance against the Euro side could spark the club’s season “into life”, Gerrard took particular dissatisfaction with the suggestion.
“Why? Are we not into life? Top of the league, is that not to your liking?” responded Gerrard [Rangers].
“Last season’s gone. You’re comparing my team to last season. That’s on you, not on me.
“I’m OK with how things are going. I see loads of life on a daily basis.
“I see loads of good players competing for positions. We’re top of the league and we’re looking forward to a top of the table clash.
“If we win that we’re in a real good place going into the second international break.
“I’m really excited for the game tomorrow. There’s been parts of our performance full of life but I’ve been openly honest that I still feel there’s more to come.
“And, when it does, we’ll be a real good team to watch.”
The frustrated response comes amid a general feeling amongst the support that the Rangers side are yet to hit top gear this season.
Rangers might be top of the Scottish Premiership, but the club has put in some unconvincing performances to date even if the Gers have shown real character to grind out results.
Gerrard explains role of Covid, injuries and absences in stuttering form
Speaking at the beginning of the press conference, Gerrard explained that much of this was down to the changing landscape of football amid Covid-19, injuries, suspensions and squad disruption.
“This Covid’s not gone away,” said Gerrard.
“I’m still waiting on the results of certain tests that were done on Tuesday, waiting for them to be negative to see who I’ve got available.
“I just find it really hard to find a settled team at the moment.
“It’s been said that we’re not full of life at the moment.
“But the team is changing a lot, whether that be an injury we have picked up or from the first day of the season when we reported back, we’ve had numerous Covid situations.
“So it’s been hard to pick the same team and try to find your rhythm and your cohesion and give people time to play together.
“It’s been really difficult to pick a settled team and I think that’s going to be the case moving forward.
“The amount of games is one issue where you are naturally going to pick up a knock or two, but the Covid situation is still there.
“Just because outside life is improving and is changing back to normality, inside we are still testing a couple of times a week.
“At any given moment you can be thrown a curveball and we’ve noticed this season there’s been a lot more curveballs thrown.”
The Ibrox Gaffer is not a man to be messed with clearly and the sharp response is indicative of both his frustration with the suggestion and the protection he’s offering his team.
Whatever anyone says, Rangers are in a strong position and whilst performances haven’t been 100% at times results – Malmo and Dundee United aside – have generally been strong.
Rangers have a League Cup semi-final to enjoy, the Gers are top of the Scottish Premiership and there is a Europa League campaign ahead.
Ahead of the clash between the two sides, Rangers have reportedly been boosted by some serious injury worries in the Sparta Prague camp.
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