Steven Gerrard is still learning lessons at Rangers - as key admission proves

When taking a point from Benfica in the Stadium of Light feels like a disappointment for Rangers, it’s another sign of the significant progress they are making on Steven Gerrard’s watch this season.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard believed he had enough defensive-minded players on the pitch to see out victory against Benfica in Lisbon on Thursday. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Now in his third season as a manager, the 40-year-old former Liverpool and England captain could justifiably rail against anyone who still describes him as a rookie boss.

But Gerrard would also be the first to observe that he is still learning on the job as he attempts to restore the Ibrox club as a trophy-winning force in Scottish football.

Gerrard was left to bemoan poor game management from his players on Thursday night in Lisbon as they let a 3-1 lead slip through their fingers against a 10-man Benfica side who scored twice in the last quarter of an hour to salvage a draw in a compelling Europa League Group D contest.

He also knows the buck for game management stops firmly at his door. Gerrard chose to make just one substitution against Benfica, replacing Joe Aribo with the fresh energy of Scott Arfield in the 69th miinute when Rangers still enjoyed their two-goal lead.

There were options on his bench to shore things up further in the closing stages. In last Sunday’s 1-0 Premiership win at Kilmarnock, defender Leon Balogun had replaced striker Alfredo Morelos late on to help Rangers ensure they held onto all three points. Could Gerrard have done the same thing in Lisbon to similar effect?

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing but what I would say is I don’t think you need to make changes to get order and control on the pitch, to become more solid and conservative out of possession,” he reflected.

“We didn’t need the full-backs to go high and wide. We didn’t need to risk possession. We’ve got enough experience and enough defensive-minded players on the pitch to have better order and game management.

“But, in hindsight, yes - maybe, maybe.”

Gerrard has spectacularly restored Rangers’ reputation and credibility on the European stage since his arrival at the club, losing just five of his 38 games. They remain undefeated in the Europa League this season, part of a 19-match unbeaten run in all competitions. He may still be learning on the job but he is proving to be an outstanding student.

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