Rangers can't field settled team due to Covid - Steven Gerrard

There were a number of talking points, notably the impact Covid has had on his squad selection this season, competition for places in the midfield area and what he makes of the issue of racism given the Sparta stadium closure and abuse suffered at the hands of rivals Slavia last season.

Derek Clark assesses what the Rangers boss had to say.

Gerrard on Covid disruptions

“We’re in a situation at the moment where we’re just focusing on each game as it comes because we’ve got a couple of injuries and one hundred percent Covid has not gone away so you’re still waiting on tests to be negative to see who you’ve got available.

“It is very different for me as a manager and us as coaches, you’re waiting to the last minute to see who’s passed to play and things can change pretty quickly. I’m finding it really hard to find a settled team.

“The team is changing a lot, whether that be an injury we’ve picked up or from the first day of the season when we’ve reported back we’ve had numerous Covid situations where it’s been hard to pick the same team and try and find your rhythm and cohesion and give people time to play together.

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“I don’t think it’s going to be the case where we can find that settled team moving forward because the amount of games is one issue where you’re always naturally going to pick up a knock or two and the Covid situation hasn’t gone.

“Just because outside life is improving and changed back close to normality, inside we’re still testing a couple of times a week so at any given moment you can be thrown a curveball.”

Gerrard’s comments are quite telling here. Rangers were pretty fortunate last season in terms of Covid and it not really affecting the squad a great deal. This campaign has been altogether different and not being able to select a settled XI is bound to have an impact on performances.

You do get a sense of just how frustrating preparation for a game must be, not just for Gerrard but for every football manager in the UK just now. As the boss says, things can change in an instant and Rangers have witnessed it first hand. You just have to look back to the recent Alashkert and Celtic matches when the manager himself was one of several people affected.

Frustratingly for Gerrard and also supporters, it shows no sign of easing and this season looks to be about making sure there can be a decent enough team put on the park to can achieve a positive result.

Gerrard on the competition for places in midfield

“The shirt in every position is always up for grabs. You’ve got to be in a real good place and perform consistently well to keep hold of it.

“Having said that, there’s enough games where sometimes we do have to offload and change and in some situations, it’s horses for courses.

“The positive thing for me is I’ve got good options in the midfield area.

“Scott (Arfield) missed training yesterday but he’s back available for today’s session so he’ll travel with us and come back into the squad and everyone is fighting in that area for minutes and game time.

“Steven Davis is a bit older for example so this season we don’t want to have to be forced to play him in every single game so John being a positive in there the last couple of games will certainly help Davo as well in terms of what level he can give us moving forward.”

This was an interesting response from Gerrard with regards to Steven Davis. Having written an article on him last week suggesting he was being asked to play too many games, it is clearly something the management team have been looking at and want to avoid. After a shaky start, John Lundstram has worked hard to regain the supporters' trust and shown he can be an able deputy for the Northern Ireland skipper.

Whether he gets the nod ahead of Davis tomorrow night remains to be seen but the midfield area is one where Gerrard is almost spoiled for choice. Juninho Bacuna has had to be patient thus far but has excited in his recent cameos but players need to hit the ground running when they are afforded an opportunity at Rangers. Failure to do so will result in a host of other players able and willing to step in.

Gerrard on being asked if a big performance will kick his team into life

“Are we not into life? Being top of the league, not into life?

“Last season’s gone, you’re comparing my team to last season, that’s on you, not on me.

“I’m ok with how things are going, I see loads of life on a daily basis, I see loads of good players competing for positions.

“We’re top of the league and we’re looking forward to a top of the table clash at the weekend. If we win that we’re in a really good place going into the second international break and I’m really excited and looking forward to the game tomorrow.

“There’s been parts of our performance full of life but I said and I was openly honest that I still feel there’s more to come and when it does we’ll be a real good team to watch.”

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The reporter received a bit of a Gerrard grilling here and it’s clear he has full belief in his squad of players despite performances not reaching the heights seen last term.

Perhaps he’s right in stating the comparison to the invincible campaign is incorrect, it was such a high bench point that it’s likely it’ll never be repeated.

You can therefore understand why Gerrard, although he’ll be doing everything in his power to try to replicate or better last season, acknowledges it’s unfair to compare.

Gerrard on racism issue given Sparta stadium closure and Slavia incident last season

"I have spoken to the majority of my players in the last couple of days and we spoke about the game.

"Glen (Kamara) and Kemar (Roofe), who were affected from the last game, are in a good place and looking forward. Both want to come and put a performance in for the team.

"There is no apprehension as far as I am concerned. I have had assurances that everything is going to be fine.

"There is no apprehension as far as I am concerned, I have had assurances that everything is going to be fine.

"For me, it is all about focusing on the game, preparing the team in the best way we can and hopefully it is going to be a real good spectacle because you have got two good teams who both need these points. I predict it is going to be a real good game.

"Look, that (progress in combating racism) is out of my control. I think that is for the powers that be.

"I think everyone involved in the game, yourselves included, we are always looking for improvement, always looking for the powers that be to step forward and show leadership on this topic.

"We know it is not totally out of the game or eradicated, there is still more work and more education to be put in place.

"But, in my position, you can only talk and say certain things and push and support. It is for people who are in higher places than me involved in the game that can make the difference and the change."

It’s a sad state of affairs that the issue of racism is having to be discussed ahead of a Europa League tie but unfortunately, it’s the reality we live in. Gerrard’s comments are positive with regards to Roofe and Kamara who will have been deeply affected by the disgusting abuse they were subjected to last season.

Both Prague clubs have major work to do to tackle racism and tomorrow night’s game, given the game will be full of youngsters following the stadium closure, is a clear indication that it’s a massive issue in that part of the world.

We can only hope we are talking about the football on Friday morning as opposed to anything else.