Rangers start under Gerrard has been blistering – in Europe at least!
Domestically, Rangers have had their worst start in almost 30 years.
But while the stats don’t lie, it’s being overplayed somewhat given two key things.
Firstly, the matches played include away days at the two hardest grounds in the country, and secondly, the last time Rangers started so poorly, it was number two of nine in a row.
The Gerrard Revolution with shades of Souness
Almost since Gerrard walked through the door at Ibrox there have been constant comparisons with the time Graeme Souness joined the club.
The comparisons don’t just begin and end with the men’s stature in the game.
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Both are Liverpool legends and won the European Cup/Champions League with the club.
Both are central midfielders.
They both have a ferocious and direct manner with the press.
When Souness joined in 1986/7 he too opened the revolving door. Signing players of real quality, he kickstarted a revolution at the club, but proved it takes time for teams to gel after a bad start.
After winning the league in his first season, Rangers had to wrestle it back from Celtic after losing it the next. Despite only winning 2 of their first 7 matches that season, Souness’ Rangers went on to win the league and get the second of 9IAR.
A long way to go, weaker opposition to come and European exploits telling
OK, so Rangers have one defeat, two draws and only one win in their first four league games. But it’s not quite as black and white as that.
Rangers have played at Pitoddrie (with 10 men after Morelos was wrongly sent off) and Parkhead (after a gruelling 6000 mile return trip to Ufa where they played half an hour with 9 men). The two hardest grounds in the country for Rangers.
Their other defeat against Motherwell was a mixture of tactical naivety and poor defending, whilst the win against St. Mirren came with 10 men.
Not to mention the 8 games played in Europe in between.
Rangers just need some calm and stability going forward. There’s been a really hectic feeling around the club since Gerrard joined.
Next up in the league is Dundee (H), St. Johnstone (H), Livingston (A), Hearts (H) and Hamilton (A).
I think we have to expect 13 to 15 points from that run.
And as a result, a change of attitude from the press.