ARGUABLY no one in modern football understands the responsibilities that come with captaincy like Steven Gerrard.

As a player, he carried his boyhood club towards momentous achievements and through tumultuous tenures. Earning reputation for delivering in big moments, becoming a symbolic representation of both on and off-pitch leadership.

Gerrard was a motivator and talker no doubt – but his leadership was defined by his actions. Goals in moments of fundamental importance, big performances on big nights.

Former teammate Dietmar Hamann once told the Guardian: “The way he has conducted himself over the years is outstanding and his desire to become a better player every day stands out. He has so much drive.

“The more responsibility you put on him, the better he was."

If anyone knows how a captain should conduct themselves on the pitch, it’s Gerrard. It’s why he is perhaps best qualified to identify and praise leadership traits when he sees them - as he did last Sunday.

“I thought he set the standard today and showed what a good captain he is,” he told RangersTV after praising James Tavernier’s “pure character” to turn the game with a goal and assist in Motherwell.

READ MORE: Alfredo Morelos faces Rangers career precipice amid staggering fall in key attacking numbers

After a mishap in midweek, which was redeemed, and an error in the lead-up to Motherwell’s opener - the 30-year-old didn’t hide. In fact, his response was proved the antithesis of going under the radar.

As Calvin Bassey’s clipped ball fell out of the sky, the right-back connected with a rocket of an effort that found the bottom corner. Minutes later his cross into the box provided Fashion Sakala’s first of the day.

Some may condemn his lack of ‘traditional’ captain-esque qualities, whatever that even means. Or as OldFirmFacts outlined previously, lambast his streamed Call of Duty sessions.

For others, maybe his involvement in some truly shocking sides of the past will always make him a lightning rod for criticism. Instead of recognising the mental fortitude taken to endure and overcome such humblings.

But as his side has struggled to retain the fluidity at one end and solidity at the other – Tavernier has never shied away from his responsibilities as Rangers captain.

Mistakes have been a feature of his season so far unquestionably, but they’ve been closely followed by a response.

A goal and assist against Aberdeen after the loss of Scott Brown at a corner. Stepping up to take a pressure penalty despite having missed three of his previous four.

The aforementioned grabbing of the game in Lanarkshire soon on from a corner concession. An on the money ball for Alfredo Morelos after a role in St Mirren’s opener two weeks ago.

READ MORE: The three at the back Rangers system that could fit James Tavernier and Nathan Patterson

That’s without mentioning his goal in Perth earlier in the campaign.

Remember too, Tavernier was hit badly by Covid earlier in the year. When these moments are recounted, criticism of his season so far feels unjust.

Naturally, with Nathan Patterson waiting in the wings, each poor touch or misdirected cross is met with a glance to seemingly greener looking grass.

The answer does not need to be one or the other, although there has been no signs yet that Gerrard has worked a way to fit both in the same starting XI.

Without their captain this season, his individual quality in moments where the team haven't clicked, how many more points would have been dropped.

A look at Taverneir’s output reaffirms his importance. He has the highest xG assisted output of any Rangers player in the Premiership, clocking 0.31 per 90.

Even without set-pieces, he’s second in open-play with a 0.16xA, narrowly behind Joe Aribo.

He has outright made the most key passes per 90 at 4.02 and only Fashion Sakala has a higher scoring contribution per 90. 

The entirety of the defence so far this season has looked far from the standards previously set.

Corner kicks seem fortuitous opportunities to now 'get at' Rangers. Throughout the early stages of the campaign, a drop in aggression at the top end of the park saw the team become vulnerable to the space behind the backline.

Gerrard said in midweek that mistakes don't need to be over-analysed or over-spoken. Tavernier and his teammates will be in no doubt of the creases which need ironing out.

But without his big moments so far this season there is no argument Rangers would not be in the position they currently inhabit. That is unquestionable.