Despite a dominant season in the league this season, Steven Gerrard is still looking for his first cup win.
The Rangers boss has been blighted by issues in both the League Cup and Scottish Cup and haven't lifted either piece of silverware since 2011.
It's an issue that has hung over the club throughout the Gerrard era, but given their unbeaten Premiership campaign they were heavy favourites to claim a domestic Double.
However, a dramatic night at Ibrox against St Johnstone ended those ambitions the cup issues appear to be becoming a trend.
Record Sport puts Steven Gerrard's record in the cup competitions in focus and how he reacted to every defeat.
Aberdeen (League Cup 2018/19)
Lewis Ferguson's header inflicted Rangers' fifth consecutive semi-final defeat as the poor domestic cup record continued into the Gerrard era. Despite dominating possession Rangers only managed one shot on target as they crashed out at Hampden.
What Gerrard said : “Everything that’s gone on is on me and I’ll take it. If there are any fingers to be pointed let them point at me. If these players don’t step up, it’s simple at a big club: the manager goes and finds better quality.”
Aberdeen (Scottish Cup 2018/19)
The Dons were the road-block once again in the Scottish Cup quarter-final and it was the same again as Derek McInnes got the better of Gerrard. After the initial 1-1 draw at Pittodrie, goals from Niall McGinn and Connor McLennan sent the Glasgow side crashing out of the competition at Ibrox.
What Gerrard said : “I’ve put this squad together and I’ve picked the team and tactics, so I’ll take full responsibility for it.”
Celtic (League Cup 2019/20)
Neil Lennon's 10-man Celtic claimed their fourth successive League Cup trophy despite Rangers having the better of the game. Jeremie Frimpong was red carded but heroics from Fraser Forster and Christopher Jullien's strike ended Gerrard's cup dream again.
What Gerrard said : “I thought we were outstanding in terms of our performance. But finals are normally decided on big moments and the big moments haven’t gone in our favour today."
Hearts (Scottish Cup 2019/20)
Hearts stunned Rangers to knock them out of the Scottish Cup in the quarter-final at Tynecastle despite their struggles in the Premiership. The Jambos may have been relegated during the curtailed campaign, but they reached the Final against Celtic as Oliver Bozanic's winner against Rangers acted as a springboard for the side.
What Gerrard said : “I am feeling pain right now because I want to win here, I am desperate to win here. Looking from the side today, I didn't get the impression that the feeling amongst my players was the same. I am not doubting myself. We have given these players everything, me and my staff have given these players absolutely everything for 20 months, held their hand on and off the pitch and improved everything for them.
St Mirren (League Cup 2020/21)
It was a dramatic night in Paisley as the Buddies brought the hopes of a Treble and an unbeaten domestic season to an abrupt end in December 2020. It was late heartbreak again for Gerrard's men as Conor McCarthy scored the decisive goal in injury time to secure the 3-2 win at St Mirren Park.
What Gerrard said : “This is one where I’ll take the blame, I’m responsible for it all – because the players have been absolutely first class since the first day of pre-season. Look, we haven’t performed well and I’m responsible for that."
St Johnstone (Scottish Cup 2020/21)
The most recent blot on Gerrard's record, and potentially the most surprising. Having been crowned Premiership champions with an unbeaten record in the league, it was hard to see past Rangers for the domestic Double. However, St Johnstone and Zander Clark's heroics put an end to their hopes of reaching Hampden.
What Gerrard said: " We need to take responsibility for this and we need to be better in cup competitions moving forward. We have never said we are the finished article. We always have one eye on how we can improve. That goes for me as well."
