2018-19 Review: has Gerrard’s first year at Rangers been a success?
Steven Gerrard’s first
season as Rangers manager – and first season in management – is coming to an
end. Like any season in football, it has had its ups and downs. But on the
whole, how has Gerrard’s first season gone?
season as Rangers manager – and first season in management – is coming to an
end. Like any season in football, it has had its ups and downs. But on the
whole, how has Gerrard’s first season gone?
A strong start
While many were
critical of the decision to take on a manager with no real management
experience, they couldn’t grumble too much with a run of twelve games unbeaten
in the league, Europa League qualification stages and League Cup.
critical of the decision to take on a manager with no real management
experience, they couldn’t grumble too much with a run of twelve games unbeaten
in the league, Europa League qualification stages and League Cup.
This was, as many
would expect, brought to an end with a defeat away at Celtic in the first Old
Firm derby of the season, leaving Rangers seventh in the Scottish Premiership. However, Gerrard’s side went on to win 8 of their
following 10 matches and climb to the top of the league.
would expect, brought to an end with a defeat away at Celtic in the first Old
Firm derby of the season, leaving Rangers seventh in the Scottish Premiership. However, Gerrard’s side went on to win 8 of their
following 10 matches and climb to the top of the league.
Second in the league
The remainder of the
league campaign was a bit hit and miss, combining strong 4-0 wins over the
likes of St Mirren and Dundee with drab draws against Hibernian and St
Johnstone. Arguably the highlight of the season came in late December, with
Rangers beating Celtic 1-0 to win their first Old Firm derby in 90 minutes since 2012.
league campaign was a bit hit and miss, combining strong 4-0 wins over the
likes of St Mirren and Dundee with drab draws against Hibernian and St
Johnstone. Arguably the highlight of the season came in late December, with
Rangers beating Celtic 1-0 to win their first Old Firm derby in 90 minutes since 2012.
In just their third
season back in the top flight, nobody was expecting Rangers to win the league. It’s
hard to complain with the probable second place finish.
season back in the top flight, nobody was expecting Rangers to win the league. It’s
hard to complain with the probable second place finish.
Domestic cups
The two
domestic cups provided Gerrard with a real chance of silverware in his first
season as Rangers manager. Unfortunately, his side were undone by Aberdeen on
both occasions. After strong wins against Kilmarnock and Ayr United, the Gers
suffered a slim 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-final.
domestic cups provided Gerrard with a real chance of silverware in his first
season as Rangers manager. Unfortunately, his side were undone by Aberdeen on
both occasions. After strong wins against Kilmarnock and Ayr United, the Gers
suffered a slim 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-final.
Fast-forward
to March the following year, and Rangers were drawn against Aberdeen again in
the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup, after seeing off Kilmarnock over two
legs in the fifth round. The tie was forced into a replay after a 1-1 draw in
Aberdeen. Advantage Rangers, surely?
to March the following year, and Rangers were drawn against Aberdeen again in
the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup, after seeing off Kilmarnock over two
legs in the fifth round. The tie was forced into a replay after a 1-1 draw in
Aberdeen. Advantage Rangers, surely?
Unfortunately,
their old foes struck again, beating them 2-0 to earn a tie against Celtic in
the semi-finals. Celtic went on to knock Aberdeen out of the cup, and will face
Hearts in the final, where they are huge favourites according to Redbet.
their old foes struck again, beating them 2-0 to earn a tie against Celtic in
the semi-finals. Celtic went on to knock Aberdeen out of the cup, and will face
Hearts in the final, where they are huge favourites according to Redbet.
Europa League
European
success is the ultimate goal for any club – and Rangers are no different.
Things looked promising after an unbeaten qualification stage. Rangers overcame
Shkupi, Osijek, Maribor and Ufa in July and August to progress to the group
stage, where they faced stiff competition from Villareal, Rapid Wien and
Spartak Moscow.
success is the ultimate goal for any club – and Rangers are no different.
Things looked promising after an unbeaten qualification stage. Rangers overcame
Shkupi, Osijek, Maribor and Ufa in July and August to progress to the group
stage, where they faced stiff competition from Villareal, Rapid Wien and
Spartak Moscow.
The
highlights? An emphatic 3-1 win at home to Wien and managing to hold Villarreal
to a draw on both occasions. However, Rangers failed to see off Spartak Moscow
at home, and lost to the Russians – who eventually came bottom of the group –
in the away tie. Unfortunately, this saw them knocked out of the competition,
with a 1-0 loss in Vienna putting the final nail in the coffin.
highlights? An emphatic 3-1 win at home to Wien and managing to hold Villarreal
to a draw on both occasions. However, Rangers failed to see off Spartak Moscow
at home, and lost to the Russians – who eventually came bottom of the group –
in the away tie. Unfortunately, this saw them knocked out of the competition,
with a 1-0 loss in Vienna putting the final nail in the coffin.
The verdict
Has Gerrard’s first
season been a success? While he hasn’t earned any major honour or silverware,
he’s kept Rangers on the up after some seriously unstable times for the club. Moving
forward, a few strong signings could see the Gers make a serious challenge for
the title and both Scottish cups or even make it through to the latter Europa
league stages.
season been a success? While he hasn’t earned any major honour or silverware,
he’s kept Rangers on the up after some seriously unstable times for the club. Moving
forward, a few strong signings could see the Gers make a serious challenge for
the title and both Scottish cups or even make it through to the latter Europa
league stages.
We’ll hand it to you; how do you see his maiden season as Rangers manager?
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