Steven Gerrard needs to be ruthlessly selfish and cut his squad to make sure Rangers stay united

Stephen Craigan

Decision time: Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has to finalise his squad

July 16 2021 04:07 PM

Since Steven Gerrard took charge of Rangers three years ago, it’s fair to say everything around the club has evolved on and off the pitch.

The next test for the Rangers manager is to continually push the boundaries with his squad of players and add more silverware to the Scottish Premiership title they lifted in May.

Sometimes it’s easier to be the chasers as the pressure and focus is on someone else but now the tide has turned. Celtic, along with the others in the Premiership, will sharpen their teeth and will have Rangers in their sights as they sit perched at the top of the tree.

With that in mind, Gerrard has to get his squad right and in the best possible frame of mind for the campaign ahead. It’s fair to say he’s got a sizeable squad that will likely need trimmed a bit in the coming weeks.

Having a big squad is great for competition and adds a bit of spice to training, as everyone is desperate to be in the starting team, but there comes a point when it can cause you problems.

All professional footballers want to play on a match day; of course they do, that’s why they are in the game.

However, with Gerrard having in excess of 30 first-team players available to him, it’s clearly impossible to please them all so he will have to make some tough decisions on who is best suited to take Rangers to the next level.

It’s the side of the job that is cut throat but Gerrard will have to be selfish as he looks to continually push for more success.

I’ve been involved in enough dressing rooms over the years to know how the dynamic works with regards players in the team and the fringe players who train all week with little game time to show for it.

It can be soul destroying for those players and naturally they’re disappointed.

The man-management side of the game for Gerrard then becomes vital to trying to keep those players feeling left out onside.

It’s a tough balancing act as the disgruntled players can sometimes grab all your attention, which is one of the main reasons he will want his squad trimmed and united.

There’s too much at stake this season for Gerrard to be distracted and have his eye taken off the ball and he will know that. It’s a different skillset required but if he wants to get to the top in management it’s one he will have to conquer.

The two areas of the team that stand out for me where Rangers are overloaded is in central defence and central midfield.

Connor Goldson has been a constant in the side over the past couple of seasons and I don’t see that changing. The problem for Gerrard is who partners him?

He’s got Filip Helander, Jack Simpson, Leon Balogun, George Edmundson and Nikola Katic back in contention after a year out with a knee injury, so he’s spoilt for choice.

A lot of people talk about rotation and keeping players fresh but I think getting a pairing nailed down in the centre of the defence is essential.

The defensive record they had last season is proof of that. I can’t help but think at least one or two will have to go on loan or be sold and the two could be Katic and Edmundson.

Katic needs games to get up to speed but Gerrard may not be able to offer him that initially and Edmundson had a good loan spell at Derby County so will no doubt attract interest from south of the border.

The midfield is saturated with good players whose individual qualities complement each other and it looks the most competitive part of the team.

Steven Davis, Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo were the main protagonists last season so will likely be in pole position, if they all stay at the club that is. John Lundstram and Nnamdi Ofobohr have joined over the summer and will want to make an impression on the team and the supporters. Throw into the mix a fully fit Ryan Jack and the experienced Scott Arfield and suddenly Gerrard has got tough calls to make.

It’s where Gerrard wants Rangers to be; having at least two options for every position but any more than that and it can become hard to manage.

All eyes will be on the squad over the next few weeks to see how the manager decides who stays and who goes.

Steven Gerrard needs to be ruthlessly selfish and cut his squad to make sure Rangers stay united

Daily Headlines & Evening Telegraph Newsletter

Most Read

Top Videos

Watch: Armagh and Galway players brawl during All Ireland Quarter Final

Watch: Footage shows stolen high-powered Audi believed to be linked to burglary crime spree

Hazel Stewart has been humbled: Allison Morris on her interview with killer

Latest Columnists

Latest