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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

Brian Laudrup picks up on Rangers TV clue that proves 'relentless' Steven Gerrard's pursuit of perfection

Delighted Rangers icon Brian Laudrup reckons his former side's hunger for success is behind their brilliant start to the season.

The Danish football legend watched his former side batter Hamilton 8-0 on Sunday as they maintained their nine-point gap at the top of the table and their unbeaten record.

But while Laudrup is delighted with the goal glut against Accies - it's the pursuit of perfection for manager Steven Gerrard and skipper James Tavernier that has his him really excited.

The 48-year-old watched the game in his homeland and was left seriously impressed with the Liverpool icon pushing his team on for more goals.

(Rangers FC/PA Images)

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: "How would you sum up Steven Gerrard's mentality as a player? Relentless seems like a good word. The next pass, the next tackle, the next goal, the next win, the next trophy. Those were the most important things in his thoughts. It was part of what made him such a special midfielder.

"As a manager, transmitting that mindset into your team is not easy. It takes time. And needs leaders you can trust on the pitch to properly reflect your thoughts and values.

"Sunday's 8-0 hammering of Hamilton was another sign that Rangers are moving in the right direction under Gerrard's command. And, to me, it was no surprise at all that his captain was again such an influential presence.

(SNS Group)

"You want to see relentless? Look at James Tavernier in action this season. He is perpetual motion in games always running, always closing down space, always trying to ask questions of the opposition.

"When the camera pans to him in matches, you can also see Tavernier making demands of his teammates. Keep going. We need more.

"The same was coming from Gerrard, who didn't even look happy when Rangers went 3-0 up after 19 minutes.

"Complacency wasn't going to be tolerated.

"Sometimes, as a superior side, you can take your foot off the pedal in these games and end up winning 3-0 or 4-0 without much extra effort. That would have been understandable coming off the back of a difficult match against Benfica in Lisbon last midweek.

"But it wasn't enough for Gerrard. And it wasn't enough for his right-hand man on the pitch. Tavernier is reflecting his manager's mentality right now and bringing that exact same focus to every game. It's a really significant factor."

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