OPINION
It is fair to say that Rangers’ boss Steven Gerrard has had a promising start to life at the Ibrox since taking up the hotseat earlier this summer.
However, one thing remains clear – his team are still behind Celtic, and it looks to stay that way if they do not start winning on a regular basis.
Gerrard is not expected to usurp the Hoops from their status as Scottish Premier League champions in his first season, but he can attempt to bridge the gap to make it easier in the next campaign.
This is why he must heed the advice of Gers’ legend Derek Johnstone, who detailed one thing that they must do to secure all three points against Dundee United this weekend, which in turn will prove pivotal to winning on a regular basis.
“The Dundee side that will play at Ibrox isn’t the same one that is bottom of the table and hasn’t picked up a point in four league games so far. You will see a different team. They will give more and Rangers have to match their physicality and their effort,” he wrote in a column for the Glasgow Evening Times.
“If they do that, their ability will always come through and they will win more matches than not over these next few weeks in the Premiership as they bid to put the Celtic game well behind them this season.”
Johnstone is spot on – Gerrard’s team do need to demonstrate more physicality in their matches, as it has proved to be their downfall in the league this season.
This is an attribute that can ensure regular success for the ex-Liverpool player – once they do, the ability that we all know that they have will shine through time and time again, but a failure to do so will see the former Liverpool man crash and burn in the dugout.
Gerrard has brought in some quality signings this summer, but he must prove that he can beat teams like Dundee – who are rock bottom with zero points – by matching the one attribute that his opponents have.
Once Rangers show that they are capable of demonstrating the physicality needed to overcome teams, then we will see them bring back the glory days to the Ibrox – starting with this weekend.