BEARGER 1,829 Posted November 30, 2019 Share Posted November 30, 2019 Steven Gerrard was unusually reticent when asked the other day whether he now has a first choice starting eleven.The Rangers manager will see his side host Hearts today before a trip to Aberdeen on Wednesday. And, inevitably, his team selections will be pored over for possible pointers to the line-up Gerrard will field against Celtic in next Sunday’s League Cup final.It was put to the Ibrox manager that two or three players could use the next two games to “grab spots” in the team for the Hampden decider.“I don’t think there’s three,” Gerrard said with a knowing smile. “At times, I’ve thought I knew my best eleven. But things change in football, sometimes people grasp an opportunity. Players surprise you and then others don’t take their chance by not doing themselves justice. So there’s a bit of that going on in one or two situations within the team. What I would say is a lot of players are very consistent at the moment which means I’m finding it hard to get certain people in. So work that out.You’ve always got places to lose at a club the size of Rangers. The players have to grab a shirt. If you’re complacent at Rangers, there will always be someone ready to step in. I’m not going to just forget someone off the back of a bad performance, a mistake or a little barren spell. Everyone is human. I have to remember what people have given me over the course of 18 months. But the eleven is certainly not set for between now and the end of the season.”At one stage last season it would have seemed inconceivable that a place would not be found for Scott Arfield in the Rangers starting line-up. He is now struggling to make an impact although the midfielder’s issues haven’t entirely been in his professional domain.“In terms of form, Scott will be the first to admit that he’s maybe not hit the heights of last season,” said Gerrard. “But he set such high standards last year, certainly towards the end of the campaign when he was on fire. He was in the zone. Scott is one that we trust. We’ll stay with him and keep believing that he’ll get back to his best form.He’s had a situation off the field rumbling on, that he’s had for a few weeks and is his private business. That’s up to him whether he divulges that or not. He’s had a tough few weeks. But he’s one that’s still very much part of our plans and I really appreciate what he’s given us since he came through the door, on and off the pitch. We won’t turn him away, for sure. “Fans don’t see that kind of thing and I don’t want to divulge too much of his private business. But it’s my responsibility to protect Scott. That’s what I try to do when sometimes a player has a situation where they’re not themselves. But what I’ll say about Scott Arfield is that he’s always there for you. Maybe other people might have stayed away from the place so fair play to him, he’s some man.” https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/18071146.steven-gerrard-vows-support-rangers-midfielder-scott-arfield-deals-off-field-issue/ https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steven-gerrard-defends-rangers-star-20996653 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gonzo79 13,636 Posted December 1, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted December 1, 2019 Gerrard has said too much there. Should've been kept in-house. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rousseau 9,374 Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 You need to post a link to the source, @BEARGER. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rousseau 9,374 Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 Maybe too much, but not really. He's basically just lighting a fire under those first-team players that think they're safe, which is quite right, IMO. I don't want our players to think they are comfortable. Performances have been lacking recently. He's also protecting Arfield, and excusing his poor form this season. It may give him a kick up the backside too. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 5,330 Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 Sounds like an ill family member. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill 13,717 Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 Where did that report come from? There’s no link included. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEARGER 1,829 Posted December 1, 2019 Author Share Posted December 1, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Rousseau said: You need to post a link to the source, @BEARGER. https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/18071146.steven-gerrard-vows-support-rangers-midfielder-scott-arfield-deals-off-field-issue/ https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steven-gerrard-defends-rangers-star-20996653 Edited December 1, 2019 by BEARGER 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacK1950 2,231 Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 SG stands by him and today he had a decent game,maybe because the issue of a problem has been made known helps his pressure status. Too good a player to have been playing like he has,come on and good luck Scott. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoohBear 1,074 Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 19 hours ago, Gonzo79 said: Gerrard has said too much there. Should've been kept in-house. I feel that way too. Was only said with good intentions I'm sure but it's caused speculation. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barca72 440 Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 20 hours ago, Gonzo79 said: Gerrard has said too much there. Should've been kept in-house. Ordinarily I'd agree. However, Arfield is such a dominant figure when he is on his game I think SG is just trying to buy him time from the fans. The pressure to win 55 is intense for everyone, and this just may hopefully keep his head in the game. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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