Steven Gerrard didn’t mince his words when talking to a reporter about his side going to Parkhead this weekend.
The Rangers manager reiterated time and again how important it is his side relish the ferocious atmosphere in the stadium. He is demanding Rangers don’t fear Celtic or give them too much respect.
So much so, he shut down a reporter and any exaggerated talk of the Parkhead “lion’s den”. The conversation starts about 8 minutes 15 seconds in.
“What do you mean by the lion’s den?” Gerrard asked a startled reporter.
“There’s not going to be any lions there is there? It’s a football pitch, the same size we had at Ibrox. It’s eleven men v eleven men.
“I’ve never known a fan to win a football match. A set of fans can make noise and make the atmosphere very interesting for everyone that we can all enjoy.
“It’s not a lion’s den”
“But it’s not a lion’s den. A lion’s den is if you jump over a cage and you’ve for four lions chasing you and you’re fearing for your life.”
The gaffer was not messing about in his presser. And not for the first time either. Calm and composed, Gerrard continuously reiterated just how important it is that his side embrace the challenge. He doesn’t want any of them to fear Celtic, and this is about leading by example.
The manager called Sunday’s match an “opportunity to show our supporters that they’re out there playing for them.” This is the exact mentality Rangers demand.
Gerrard encouraged his players to relish the atmosphere, to enjoy it, and called out anyone who is not up to the task.
In the same press conference, Gerrard also opened up on Rangers’ ambitions to secure the future of a player currently on loan at the club.
