Steve Gerrard defends Rangers players after questions about recent form
Rangers have dropped nine points in their first round of Premiership fixtures, just three less than they lost in the whole of last season.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has defended his players amid public perceptions of their form.
Rangers have dropped nine points in their first round of Premiership fixtures, just three less than they lost in the whole of last season.
The latest setback, a 2-2 home draw with Aberdeen, allows Celtic the chance to top the table on Saturday night following their home game with Livingston, before Rangers visit Motherwell the following day.
But Gerrard rejected suggestions his players had failed to bounce back from disappointments.
Gerrard said: From the inside I see a group of boys that are willing to work hard and fight as hard as they can.
It's an absolute pleasure to work with a team that's lost one league game in 50. I haven't heard or seen that written on the outside. So I think sometimes it's a case of perception.
But I believe there's a lot of fight, a lot of characters and a lot of good players in my group and I have every belief and confidence that we can move forward.
Yes, we have issues to fix and address. Yes, we have had some setbacks and challenging times, fixtures and results together. I always like to be honest.''
Rangers have fallen behind on nine occasions this season, eight times when conceding the first goal.
Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi said: Obviously it's a stat that we are not proud of but we are working on it and clean sheets are something that we expect every single game.
We are working on it but this is football sometimes, you are challenged. Whatever the challenge, you have to step up and try to overcome it.
Hopefully from now on we will have more clean sheets and get some more goals.''