Steven Gerrard survives Old Firm baptism of fire but Rangers manager has much to learn

In spite of his frustrations during the 1-0 defeat by Glaswegian rivals Celtic, there was a sense that Gerrard had enjoyed himself amid the madness of it all

For the first time in his life, Steven Gerrard would feel the energy of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ from a dressing room and immediately wish for the supporters bellowing out the anthem passionately enough for it to penetrate thick walls of concrete to have an utterly miserable day.

He would return to that dressing room defeated but only after he’d waited for the match officials at the tunnel entrance to release more fume into an already febrile atmosphere, telling them exactly what he thought about their role in what ultimately proved to be the game’s deciding moment. Gerrard could be seen saying: “You cost us.”

According to Gerrard, indeed, the fourth official, John Beaton, had reacted to Tom Rogic’s tackle on Ryan Jack by shouting “foul, foul, foul” into his mic though amidst the hullabaloo, it would have been understandable if referee William Collum was unable to hear.

That play carried on was doubly significant because Jack had been Gerrard’s most important midfield figure, someone who gives the impression that with time he could become to Rangers what Scott Brown is to Celtic. His tenacity and positional sense helped nullify the central threats posed by Rogic and Callum McGregor until that point, and it was only in his absence that Celtic were able to find a way through.

Gerrard was apoplectic that Celtic’s outcome defining goal was allowed to stand. It arrived not only because of the speed of a counter-attack but also because Jack was not around to disrupt Rogic’s advance having fallen on the edge of Celtic’s penalty area under the challenge of the Australian. For the first time, Rangers were stretched and in the space Celtic’s approach was lethal, affording Olivier Ntcham with the opportunity to score.

“It’s a blatant foul, he’s swept his legs,” Gerrard later repeated, suggesting then that Collum was unrepentant after the result had been settled, only without having had the benefit of watching a replay that he’d already witnessed five times. Gerrard had reclaimed his composure by the time he entered Celtic Park’s media room where he proceeded to admit the officials had made another error, only this one had benefited his team. Allan McGregor had otherwise been outstanding but in donkey kicking Kristoffer Ajer mid-way through the first half, the goalkeeper should have been sent off thus ensuring an even greater challenge for Rangers. “I think he’s lashed out,” Gerrard conceded. “Of course, I’ll speak to him about it. If there’s one thing I’ll be it’s honest and Allan was lucky.”

Tomas Rogic and Ovie Ejaria tussle for possession in the Old Firm derby (Getty Images)

In spite of his frustrations – which also involved Rangers’ inability to retain possession, particularly in a one-sided first half controlled absolutely by a Celtic team that nevertheless did not find the final ball often enough to suggest they deserved to be ahead resoundingly – there was a sense that Gerrard had enjoyed himself amidst the madness of it all. This had been a true Glasgow welcome for him, one where it initially seemed that the emergency services had also been present in the interests of the poor ball, which was cleared high into the stand by an under-pressure James Tavernier with only the game’s second touch. Gerrard’s first opportunity in management could have been in Milton Keynes and it is fair to say no occasion at Stadium MK could ever compare to the ire that exists here, regardless of any gap that exists between the clubs.

It is fascinating watching Gerrard’s transition from player to manager. He had always been a lead-by-example sort of midfielder with the ability to pursue the impossible on his own. His role has shifted now because he has to find a way for others to do it for him.

He had spent the first ten seasons of his career as a professional footballer under the guidance of Gérard Houllier and Rafael Benítez, managers for whom defensive organisation came first, particularly in matches of importance. You could not describe Rangers’ first-half performance as being a masterclass in that department but it was an improvement considering what happened last season on this ground, where the aggregate scoreline was 9-0 to Celtic.

1-0 felt like a fair reflection of the game (AFP/Getty Images)

In the second of those games, Celtic led by five goals in the 53rd minute. Here, they had hit the crossbar three times in the same timeframe but had otherwise only once found a way to stretch a Rangers back four which included three new faces (and six overall) to a fixture not always kind on newcomers, particularly those as young as the ones representing Rangers.

“We’ve played against a team that have been together for two years and have a lot more experience than us and they know how to win already,” Gerrard would reason, reminding that after just 12 weeks, he is still teaching his players what he already knows. “I’ve seen enough today to think we can be a match for Celtic in the next fixture,” he continued, boldly. “Rangers have been blown away in previous derby matches, completely annihilated in scorelines that are not acceptable. I’m not saying 1-0 is acceptable we’re moving in the right direction to close it.”

Amid the firecrackers, the smoke and the smell of gunpowder, Glasgow remains one of the most challenging cities to find balance among discussions, though this certainly is not a criticism. The realities are these: both teams had played on Thursday night in the Europa League and though Rangers had travelled much further than Celtic in order to ensure their progression, Brendan Rodgers had the added distraction of dealing with the departure of his best striker on Friday. Rodgers was clearly disappointed in the way Moussa Dembélé sealed his move to Lyon, suggesting that the player had never been given promises that he could leave despite contradictory assertions.

Rangers had met Celtic when it felt like they were vulnerable but could not stop them extending their unbeaten run in the Old Firm to 12 games. “We showed them who was boss,” Scott Brown would boast but that wasn’t strictly true either because Rangers finished stronger and did have two opportunities to equalise. Ultimately, they did not have the composure to secure a draw and 1-0 to Celtic was just about right. It will be deep mid-winter when these sides next meet. By then, the state of play will be a lot clearer than it is now.