“If you look at the first eight or nine games, we haven’t got a leading goalscorer that’s jumping out, or a leading assister who is jumping out.”
It might have been sloppy defensive play that led to Motherwell’s leveller that made for a frustrating Flag Day at Ibrox.
But after bemoaning the 'After you, Claude’ defending, Steven Gerrard realised that the Steelmen goal should have been nothing more than a consolation.
That’s because the Light Blues had created more than enough chances in a blistering first half when they looked like being back to their best to win a couple of games.
Gerrard has now thrown the gauntlet down to his attack to “become a bit more of a killer” team moving forward.
Rangers have scored eleven goals after six league games this season and that is actually an identical return from the same number of Scottish Premiership fixtures last season.
The problem is they were much tighter in defence last season and wouldn’t have conceded in the manner they did against Motherwell.
But that return of 11 goals is less than in Gerrard’s first two seasons with a whopping 15 in his first year after six games and 16 the following year after half a dozen league games.
Those tallies were boosted by thumping wins with Dundee hit for four and St Johnstone five in Gerrard’s first season and Hibs for six in the second.
Jermain Defoe bagged a hat-trick against the Hibees with Alfredo Morelos helping himself to a couple.
But Defoe will be 39 next season and is a bit-part while Morelos wasn’t fit enough to start against Motherwell.
With Ryan Kent injured, Gerrard was lacking. Fashion Sakala got his first competitive goal, albeit it was offside.
The Zambian had been patiently waiting for his chance, mainly coming off the bench, and to be fair has averaged an impressive 1.29 shots per every 37 minutes he’s played - that should translate to more goals for the effervescent forward after his strike against Motherwell.
Cedric Itten, who was allowed to leave on loan in the summer, chipped in with six goals last season but only managed 0.84 shots from his average of 32 minutes.
The Swiss, lavished with praise during pre-season, might have been an option to have around for days like Sunday.
Scott Wright and Kemar Roofe both handed chances on Sunday but have each scored just one goal from open play this season and that was on the opening day against Livingston at Ibrox.
And it’s why Gerrard’s words will be ringing in their ears - “Football’s about details at the top level. People need to stand up and score goals for this club.”
