Steven Gerrard’s career in senior management is up and running. The Gers edged past Macedonian side FC Shkupi in the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round. Gerrard’s side eased to a 2-0 win at the Ibrox in the first leg and a draw in the second leg was more than enough to send Rangers cruising.
Next week, the Light Blues face tougher opposition from Croatian side NK Osijek in the first leg of the second qualifying round. Travelling for the first leg, Gerrard’s men will host Osijek at the Ibrox a week later on 2nd August. Meanwhile, Rangers will kick off their Scottish Premiership campaign on 5th August at home against Aberdeen.
To end Celtic’s recent dominance in Scotland and progress in Europe, Gerrard will need his midfield up to the task. A football game is often won or lost in the middle of the park and a disconnected midfield is always a time bomb waiting to explode. Considered as one of the best midfielders of his generation, we look at two Rangers midfielders who could improve a lot under Gerrard’s guidance.
Considered the next big thing in Scottish football, Docherty came through Hamilton Academical youth ranks before making his senior appearance in December 2013 in the Scottish Championship. He made two more appearances that season as Hamilton were promoted to the Premiership, where Docherty made 91 appearances over four seasons.
Docherty completed his move to Rangers in January 2018. The versatile central midfielder, who can play as an attacking midfielder and as a right midfielder, made 11 league appearances for Rangers last season. Docherty started seven times and came on a substitute four times, making 14 appearances for Rangers across all competitions. However, the player is yet to find the back of the net.
At only 22 years of age, Docherty has the world at his feet and working under Gerrard might help shape up the young Scotsman to realize his dreams as a midfielder.
Josh Windass is not a fan favourite at the Ibrox. The English midfielder spent three seasons at League Two side Accrington Stanley before joining Rangers for a free two summers ago.
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The last term might have been the most productive season in his career as he scored 13 Premiership goals in 33 appearances. In fact, the 24-year-old scored a total of 18 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions. Still, some fans have been calling for him to be offloaded. As things stand, Gerrard has urged the player to ignore speculation and play a role in the new-look Gers side. Hence, under Gerrard’s tutelage, Windass could benefit and improve immensely as a player.
