TO be the best, you have to beat the best. You also have to demand the best.
Rangers have two chances this week to prove that they are capable of being successful this season as they look to remain in contention for the Premiership title and take another step towards lifting the Scottish Cup.
Doubts remain over whether or not those ambitions can be fulfilled. There can be none when it comes to the standards that Steven Gerrard has set.
When his side have stumbled this term, the Rangers boss hasn’t held back in his criticism as his players have been left clear about where they went wrong and what he expects.
His comments have often been just as interesting in victory, though. When performance levels dip, when heights aren’t hit, Gerrard doesn’t hold back.
The open and honest approach is refreshing for punters and pundits to see and hear. For former Ibrox captain Lee McCulloch, it is no bad thing from a players’ perspective, either.
“I think it shows the standards Steven Gerrard’s demanding,” he said. “The Cowdenbeath game in the Cup too, he came out afterwards and said he wasn’t happy with the second half performance. It’s all about standards and keeping the expectations sky high for the players.
“I think if you win 4-0 it’s easy to come off and think ‘oh, it’s easy now, everything’s fine, it’s all good.’ But they’re still chasing a league and a cup, so standards have got to be sky high.
“I think you can [keep doing that as a manager]. He’s not been overly critical, he’s just saying he’s expecting a better finish to the second half of a game, particularly as was the case at Cowdenbeath.
“He came out and said there were a couple of slack performances, which there were probably were. One or two weren’t up to the standard.
“A few folk would’ve been surprised about criticism after a 4-0 win like Saturday. But it would be too easy to paper over cracks and he’s just letting people and, especially players, that he’s seeing it. That things have got to be addressed. It’s not panic stations, it’s just letting people know that they can always do better.”
When Gerrard was appointed as manager in the summer, he wasted little time in overhauling the squad that he inherited as a focus was put on players with both the mental and physical attributes to handle life at Ibrox.
It was under the guidance of Walter Smith that McCulloch won three league titles, three League Cups and two Scottish Cups and the former Gers defender can see similarities with the dugout approach used these days.
“Walter was like that too and I think he picked his times to do it,” McCulloch said. “He’d catch you off guard, person ally and as a group.
“I always go back to the games before the Old Firm match and right after. Walter would see those as being every bit important as the derby because it’s easy to be thinking about the Old Firm game the week before it while it’s also easy after it, particularly if you’ve won, to think you’re OK — and then suffer a dull one.
“So, yes, Walter would make sure he’d keep everyone on their toes, individuals on their toes. He’d pull players in for one-to-ones. His man-management was very good.
“Steven might be saying what he’s saying in the press but actually sitting down with the players and showing them through video clips how they can get better. It happens everywhere. It’s only healthy.
“If the manager instead is coming out every week and just saying everything’s great, nothing has to be done, then it doesn’t look too good, does it?
“So I think there’s an element of honesty with his post-match comments.”
The challenge now for Rangers is to ensure that their progress is rewarded with prizes and the meetings with Aberdeen and Kilmarnock this week could well determine their fates in the league and Scottish Cup.
Victory at Pittodrie on Wednesday would ensure they don’t lose further ground in the title race, while a win at Rugby Park would be the ideal cup response to their costly Premiership setback there last month.
“I think he is ahead of schedule considering it is his first job and he is a young manager,” McCulloch said.
“What he has done really is incredible but the nature of the beast is that Rangers is a club that has got to be challenging for every trophy that they go in for. The expectation is that he has got to be there or there about for the league and win a cup and they are only in one so he has to do everything to win that.”
*Premier Sports will screen live and exclusive coverage of Kilmarnock v Rangers (Sat 9th Feb) and Celtic v St Johnstone (Sun 10th Feb) in the Scottish Cup. Available on Sky, Virgin Media and via the Premier Player, new subscribers can get their first month free. Visit www.premiersports.com.
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