The ‘hidden’ Steven Gerrard secret at Ibrox
ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 01: Steven Gerrard, Manager of Rangers FC wears a face mask as he looks on from the stands during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Aberdeen and Rangers at Pittodrie Stadium on August 01, 2020 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Willie Vass/Pool via Getty Images)
There’s been a subtle pattern under Steven Gerrard this season, and we wonder how many of you reading have noticed it.
First it was Joe Aribo in the summer, then it was Ryan Kent until recently, and now it’s James Tavernier, Glen Kamara and Filip Helander.
What are we talking about?
Development. Major, major development and form under this manager.
Ryan Jack and Alfredo Morelos were the two major beneficiaries for the first two seasons, but both of them have sadly tailed off this campaign/calendar year.
But this summer saw a stunning burst of form from Joe Aribo, before injury, then a staggering one from Ryan Kent which has tempered down a little, but now taking that mantle has been the superb displays from on-fire Glen Kamara, the increasingly-superb Filip Helander and the captain, who is having the season of his life.
Under Steven Gerrard we’re seeing individual players, or small groups of players, having absolutely stellar periods, astonishing purple patches of development, growth, improvement and form, which then starts to calm down a touch into consistency as it evens itself out a little.
Earlier it was Joe Aribo who had a brilliant start to the season and pre-season and was looking the £20M player we believe he can be, until injury hit him.
Then Kent went absolutely mental with some stonking shows and we had to fend off bids. He’s calmed down, looking less incredible but still contributing plenty to the team.
And now?
Glen Kamara with his development into arguably the best midfielder in the SPL now, James Tavernier who’s hit the form of his life and is easily the best RB in the division, and of course Filip Helander who has finally settled in and is now comfortably the best or joint best CB at Ibrox if not the league.
What does it mean?
Gerrard knows how to get these players to raise their game, to hike their level.
It can’t last every time, but it does show what that player is capable of. And right now many more players in this team are delivering their very best.
And we like it. A lot.