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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

The Rangers appreciation society you may have missed as Steven Gerrard thanks Tom Culshaw for set piece perfection

The players and managers take the credit, but so often those behind the scenes are the unsung heroes.

That certainly appeared the case for Rangers on Thursday night as they earned a much-needed Europa League victory over Brondby.

Steven Gerrard 's side lit a fire under their group stage campaign – pointless until last night – via goals from Leon Balogun and Kemar Roofe.

Balogun's opener, his first for the club in competitive action set the tone for a comfortable victory.

But while the Rangers players rushed to congratulate the Nigerian international centre-back, Gerrard turned to the men behind him.

The Ibrox boss could be seen pointing straight back to the bench after Balogun's header powered past Brondby keeper Thomas Mikkelsen.

(SNS Group)

It looked to be an instant recognition of the set-piece work done by his coaches, something Gerrard confirmed to be the case after the game as he singled out one man in particular.

"The delivery was perfect," the manager told BT Sport. " Tom Culshaw will take the credit again for the set-piece, like he does.

"You've got to show that hunger and aggression to go and attack it. That put us in a really good place."

The routine appeared to involve Alfredo Morelos, Connor Goldson and Balogun making late runs towards the penalty spot and creating strength in numbers against a static visiting defence.

James Tavernier's delivery was on the money and it allowed Balogun the chance to bully his marker and bullet home a deserved opener.

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