Don’t get on the wrong side of Steven Gerrard.
As a player, the Liverpool legend belittled many an opponent with his crunching challenges, wiped smirks of faces with his scorching strikes, while he literally pulsated passion.
Now, as a manager, the Rangers boss has developed quite the venomous tongue, and he didn’t hold back in the aftermath of the Gers’ error-drenched 4-3 Europa League defeat to Spartak Moscow.
Rangers incredibly led three times during a thrilling first-half of football in the Russian capital, but two rapid-fire goals from the hosts after the break condemned Gerrard’s droops to their first defeat in 12 European matches.
In his post-match interviewer with BT Sport, Gerrard was asked if he thought that his side's calamitous defensive changes played a part in the team’s frailties on show in Russia.
“Possibly, if people want to say that I'll take responsibility for that,” said the Englishman.
“Under-12's, under-13's normally can clear the ball with either foot. As you get a bit older you learn how to play the game positionally so I'm a bit confused over that one, especially with the lads that were picked.”
Savage.
The defeat meant that Rangers slipped from top spot in Group G down to 3rd place with two games remaining. It’s an incredibly close and competitive group, with the Scottish side hosting Villarreal at the end of the month, before travelling to Rapid Vienna in mid-December for their final clash.
Rangers, 3rd in the SPL, are enjoying a four game unbeaten run in the league, a streak they will be bidding to extend to five matches on Sunday when they host Motherwell in a fixture they will be expected to win.
However, should they be stunned at Ibrox, then another gem of a quote from Gerrard will be imminent.
Steven Gerrard has some choice words on Rangers' defensive showing after defeat in Moscow.
