Steven Gerrard: Rangers unbeaten season talk is 'sideshow', says manager

  • Published
Rangers players celebrate Alfredo Morelos goal v CelticImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Steven Gerrard's side are yet to taste defeat in the league this season and have taken 89 points from a possible 99

Champions Rangers' quest for an unbeaten Scottish Premiership season is a "sideshow", said manager Steven Gerrard after Sunday's draw at Celtic.

The Ibrox club are now just five games - including one more Old Firm derby - from an 'invincible' league campaign.

That would match Brendan Rodgers' Celtic side of 2016-17, but Gerrard said his focus lies elsewhere.

"The Scottish Cup is the priority as it's a chance to win another trophy," he told Sky Sports.

"We will give everything we've got in the remaining games to try and stay unbeaten the league. It's not a priority because I will use my squad and change it at times.

"But we will make sure they are prepared to try and win as many as we can until the end of the season."

Missing out on three points at Celtic Park means Rangers can no longer match their rivals' 106-point haul of four years ago.

The newly crowned Premiership champions were second best in an opening spell that saw a diving header from Mohamed Elyounoussi put Celtic deservedly in front.

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post by Rangers Football Club

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post by Rangers Football Club

However, Gerrard's side responded when Alfredo Morelos scored his first Old Firm goal in his 13th derby by nodding in from close range.

"I'm sure he will be really relieved to get that monkey off his back," Gerrard added. "He's been magnificent for us and his contribution has been really big."

The draw meant Celtic brought an end to Rangers' Old Firm winning run, having suffered defeat at the hands of Gerrard's side in the previous three meetings.

But the Ibrox manager believes the point is a better result for his side as they maintain a 20-point lead over their nearest rivals.

"We came here to win but we're pleased with the point," Gerrard said. "We've had a real journey in the last two or three weeks. Celtic had a lot of preparation time for us.

"We were away from home, we're the champions, we've took seven points from nine in Old Firm games and we're 20 points clear. This is a more positive result for us than them."

Media caption,

Watch Celtic captain Brown offer support to Rangers' Kamara

Around the BBC

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.