If there was one glaring failing on the part of Steven Gerrard, it was his bizarre and patent dislike of Scottish players.
Yes, we know Scots aren’t Maradona, but throughout Gerrard’s entire time in Govan only two Scots were allowed to thrive in his team, McGregor and Jack.
Even Scottish born Scott Arfield was the one to lose his place quite a few times, whatever his form/fitness were.
It was just the Gerrard way.
If we look at some of the Scottish talent that could and should have thrived under that manager it makes for depressing reading:
Ross McCrorie, Jamie Murphy, Greg Docherty, Nathan Patterson, Stephen Kelly, Robby McCrorie…
We’re not saying Greg Docherty is world class, but his stats in League One were equal to Joe Aribo, but it was the latter Steven Gerrard chose. By a mile.
And while Aribo has ended up being wonderful for us, we don’t know how Docherty, McCrorie, or any of the others would have panned out.
Was Gerrard anti-Scot? We don’t know, is the answer. In his defence, non-Scottish players also got rejected as well. And Gerrard did bring in Scott Wright, Jon McLaughlin (albeit he’s basically English) Greg Stewart and a few other Scottish-born players.
We’d just like to have seen more Scots given a fairer crack at the whip.
Yes the whole ‘well if they’re not good enough’. Well, are you seriously telling me some of the rubbish Gerrard played ahead of them was? Sheyi Ojo, Ovie Ejaria, Jon Flanagan, Eros Grezda, Brandon Barker…
We’re not demanding XI Scots, but we do feel there really was a specific lack of them under that manager.
And we’d like to see more of them under (hopefully) Gio.
It’s actually exciting times again to be a gers fan, all the puddle drinking unwashed fans celebrating like they have won the champions league that the scouser has fucked off but GVB will get the fans at lbrox on their feet again and you will need earplugs for the noise, lbrox this season has been like a library, only the union bears have been vocal this season, GVB will get lbrox roaring again, good times ahead
When there are Scottish players good enough, who want to play for us, then I would welcome them with open arms. As for the ones mentioned:
Ross McCrorie I think could’ve been turned into an excellent CB but never as a midfield player.
Greg Docherty had a terrific attitude and engine but alas was well down the pecking order and just fell short of good enough.
Jamie Murphy had the talent but was so unlucky with injury and I think it was correct to move him on. Sadly.
Stephen Kelly has not much of a chance but what little I’ve seen he may not make it at Rangers if/when that chance arrives.
Robbie McCrorie did well against Celtic to show he had ability but had a chequered past when out on loan which worries me slightly. This could be down to age and inexperience of course.
Nathan Patterson is the shining light and he has to get more game time.
I remember the great sense of positive change when Souness left and Smith came in and changed the identity back to being more Scottish and look where those players took us. Advocaat picked a side against St Johnstone without a single Scot leaving Barry Ferguson on the bench and the murmur around Ibrox when the teams were read out was noticeably different. If Gio comes in it won’t be with a transfer kitty of any note unless we move a few on so I really hope we can get McCrorie, Patterson and Kelly pushed on then reassess the loanees who are having mixed fortunes just now. Kai Kennedy didn’t lose his ability overnight so maybe a recall and put to a club who will play him or given a chance to train with the first team squad. We also have Lewis Mayo and James Maxwell doing pretty well albeit at a lower level. Scots aside it will be interesting also to see if we get a recall for Katic in January now Stevie has gone. We are going to have to learn to utilise our full squad, B-team included until we can hopefully secure the title and a CL windfall. Good times ahead.
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