If there is to be a title-challenge this season, Rangers need to stop losing late goals after their 3-3 draw with Motherwell.
The match spelled Rangers’ second away Premiership game under Steven Gerrard, and their third league game in total. However, more of a concern will be that in their two away games so far, Rangers have lost late goals.
Bruce Anderson’s last-minute leveller on opening day for Aberdeen was followed up by Peter Hartley’s last-gasp strike this afternoon. It’s a hugely frustrating day for the Rangers supporters as a whole. However, this is an aspect that needs rectified and soon.
Game-management
The Gers are showing good game-management for long spells. For one reason or another, though, individual mistakes are costing them in key away matches.
Six points away to Aberdeen and Motherwell would’ve left Gerrard’s side three points clear of Celtic. It also would’ve been a huge mental boost to have picked up maximum points from two tough trips.
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Instead, just two have been picked up despite having both contests within their grasp. The reason for this is down to late goals.
Championship-winning sides have the ability to see these games out. At the moment, despite the impressive start from Gerrard this season, Rangers aren’t. The likes of James Tavernier and Connor Goldson are making costly individual errors. Question marks can also be put to Allan McGregor for how he failed to come and collect the cross for Hartley’s goal.
Walter’s winners
Look no further than Walter Smith’s Rangers sides. When they were one goal ahead in tough away games, they would be hard to beat and stick to their task. There are similarities between how both Smith and Gerrard set up their sides. However, Gerrard’s men just don’t have the experience of seeing games out as of yet.
Today was all about the three points ahead of a huge clash at Celtic Park next weekend. Disappointingly, Rangers failed to take them. This now means that defeat to Brendan Rodgers’ side could see Gerrard’s men four points adrift.
If the Ibrox side are to make a serious title-challenge this season, they need to sort out the momentary lapses.
Celtic continue to look as ordinary as they ever have done under Rodgers, and are there for the taking. In order to do that, Gerrard’s men have to dig in and put a halt to their poor defensive mistakes