Consecutive Rangers reds have helped put a dampener on Gerrard’s start to the new Scottish Premiership season.
Reds from Alfredo Morelos and Ross McCrorie against Aberdeen and St. Mirren respectively have meant Rangers have played 140 minutes out of 180 with only 10 men on the field. Not that it has stopped the Ibrox team looking impressive. It’s just made it harder.
The sending’s off show a weakness in Steven Gerrard’s young squad – immaturity.
The decision making in both instances was particularly poor.
Granted, Morelos’ red card was rescinded, and he should’ve been offered more protection from the referee at the time, but by lashing out he gave them a decision to make.
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McCrorie, who had settled into the game nicely and was playing well, did not have to go to ground against Brock-Madsen as he bore down on goal. The truth is, McCrorie should’ve trusted Allan McGregor to handle it and stay on his feet to put the St. Mirren striker off.
At the time, Rangers were coasting and looked good for another few goals before even half time.
Instead, the players had to dig deep and run themselves into the ground to make up for the extra man. Even then Rangers still looked far and away the better team, but with a key tie against Maribor on Thursday, it is an unnecessary graft the team could largely be doing without.
These young players have a role to play on the pitch. With pressure and expectation building, they need to learn that they’re more valuable there than anywhere else. St. Mirren players and supporters would’ve been counting their lucky stars because they were onto a drubbing.
It’s no longer a one-off, consecutive Rangers reds mean it has to be addressed. Rangers young squad needs to be mature and learn how to handle the pressure.
Only then will we really get rewards on the pitch.