McLeish says Gers must learn from Celts after Old Firm defeat
Rangers 1 Celtic 2
Rangers manager Alex McLeish has admitted his players they will need to become more streetwise if they are to match Celtic and be a success at the club.
McLeish watched the title slip from Rangers’ grasp after losing 2-1 to Celtic, allowing the Parkhead side to extend their lead at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League table to five points.
Stilian Petrov and Craig Bellamy grabbed the goals that mattered but Rangers were outclassed in every area of the pitch by their bitter rivals in a game Celtic never looked like losing.
McLeish branded their opponents “cuter” before insisting his own players must learn a thing or two from Martin O’Neill’s men.
He said: “They showed their maturity and experience and they were just that wee bit cuter, more streetwise.
“A lot of lads who have come into our side this season are young and have to experience one or two of the cute things, the streetwise things, and learn quickly.
“You have to learn quickly at this club and if you want to have the aspirations that go with playing for Rangers then you have to learn fast.”
With only four games remaining, McLeish knows he has little chance of wresting the championship from Celtic’s grasp now.
They face a daunting trip to Pittodrie next week to take on an Aberdeen side who are still chasing third place in the league and a UEFA Cup spot next season.
But McLeish refused to surrender the title and when asked if he had given up hope, he replied: “Certainly not. It’s going to be tough and I would rather be in Celtic’s position, they can only lose it now.
“But there are games to be played and we need to try to win every game to apply any pressure that’s possible on Celtic.
“It’s going to be difficult but if you know me as a person, you know that we will keep going.”
Barry Ferguson and Fernando Ricksen, usually two of Rangers’ most inspirational players, lost the midfield battle before Ricksen dropped back into defence while the goal drought continued for Nacho Novo on a day when strike partner Dado Prso also fired blanks.
Striking duties were left to Steven Thompson, who gave Rangers hope when he pulled a goal back with two minutes to go after replacing Gregory Vignal for the final 15 minutes.
But McLeish was happier with the defence and insisted the gamble he took when he threw Marvin Andrews into the game from the start paid off.
Andrews is still resisting the surgeon’s knife despite advice from Ibrox medics that he needs an operation to repair cruciate knee ligament damage and McLeish revealed that even Celtic were impressed by the devout Christian today.
He said: “I thought he did well. I’ve just spoken to Steve Walford and he couldn’t believe his performance.
“We were worried about his legs in terms of fitness and that’s why I took him off near the end because he was running on empty and you could see that.”
