Steven Gerrard explains why Old Firm draw is more positive for Rangers than Celtic

Steven Gerrard listed the reasons he believes the 1-1 draw at Parkhead is a better result for Rangers than their Old Firm rivals after Alfredo Morelos’ header broke his Celtic scoring duck.

The Colombian's header cancelled out a diving header from Mohamed Elyounoussi but Gerrard believed his side showed signs of rustiness from their intensive recent match schedule - but was still pleased with the point which he says suited his side more than John Kennedy’s.

“It was a good game, both teams tried to win it and we tried to be positive in our substitutes during the game.

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Celtic had some good opportunities. We had a couple, but for me it was all set for someone to go and grab it and win it.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard congratulates Nathan Patterson after the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on March 21, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)Rangers manager Steven Gerrard congratulates Nathan Patterson after the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on March 21, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard congratulates Nathan Patterson after the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on March 21, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

"But we’re in a situation where we’re away from home, we’re the champions and have taken seven out of nine points in terms of Old Firm games and we’re still 20 points clear – this is more positive result for us than it is for them.”

He added: “We’ve had a real journey in the last two or three weeks. Celtic have had a lot of preparation time for us an free time. Ours has been different.

“All in all we’re pleased with a point – we came here to win but we’ll take the point and move on.”

The Scottish Cup is next on the Rangers manager’s agenda after their European exploits – which has sent them to Belgium and the Czech Republic in the past month – ended during the week. However avoiding defeat at Parkhead means Rangers are still unbeaten in the Premiership – and maintaining that record would be an added bonus, though ‘a sideshow’ for the players he added.

Rangers' Alfredo Morelos looks frustrated as he is taken off during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on March 21, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)Rangers' Alfredo Morelos looks frustrated as he is taken off during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on March 21, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
Rangers' Alfredo Morelos looks frustrated as he is taken off during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on March 21, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

"The important thing is to get ready for every game and win as many as we can. The Scottish Cup is a priority with the opportunity to win another trophy.

"But we will give everything in the coming games to stay unbeaten form a league point of view.

It’s not a priority because I will at times use my squad and change it within that with people desperate for minutes and games but at the same time we’ll make sure that they’re prepared to win as many as we can from now until the end of the season."

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Alfredo Morelos’ goal ended his drought against his Old Firm rivals and Gerrard praised the Colombian who ‘did bits’ for the side in the stalemate.

“I was very pleased,” Gerrard todl Sky Sport. “I always am when my players score and are in a good place. He’s been magnificent for us and his contribution has been really big.

"I’m sure he’ll be really relieved to get that monkey off his back if you like in terms of scoring here.

"He did some really good bits but if you analyse us as a team I thought we looked a little bit leggy and lacked energy at times and that’s why we made the amount of substitutions we did.

“They had a few opportunities and played well at times but over the course of the 90 minutes they still haven’t been able to beat us and that’s a positive in my point of view.”

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