Gerrard: Rangers need to 'fix a few things' after another home draw

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard says he has issues to fix in his side after they dropped points at home against Aberdeen- but says he knows what to do to sort out the problems.

Christian Ramirez and Scott Brown had given Aberdeen the lead before Alfredo Morelos pulled a goal back for the hosts and James Tavernier netted a late, controversial penalty to level the score.

It was the third time Rangers have drawn at Ibrox in the league this season and Gerrard was unhappy with how his side let Aberdeen gain the upper hand in the match.

“I think you’ve heard this record on a couple of occasions at home,” the Rangers boss said. “This is the third game we’ve drawn so there are a few things that need fixing, that’s for sure.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game and Aberdeen were on the back of a good result at the weekend. Obviously with the rivalry it’s always a difficult match.

“But when you go and gift them the first goal and then you lose a duel from a set play and go 2-0 down, the challenge becomes more tough.

“We have to try things and force things and throw different things at it to try to get back into the game when really that’s not us. Normally we try to play with control, in a certain way, the organisation’s there and we play a stylish game on the back of it.

“There was a lot that we didn’t recognise as a staff tonight and we need to fix a few things moving forward.”

The game was played out on an emotional night at Ibrox, with fans paying tribute to Walter Smith after the former Rangers manager died at the age of 73.

Gerrard reflected on what had been a difficult time, but said that the news had no bearing on the result.

“There’ll be no excuses, not at all,” he said. “Of course the last 24-48 hours has been tough for everyone connected to the club, not just people at Rangers but the football world and the media and people who have been lucky enough to spend time with Walter. I think the tributes have been very fitting for him and his family and I think they should be very proud of what he achieved here and at other clubs.

“It has been tough but that had nothing to do with how we looked and how we wanted to look. There will certainly be no excuses.

“I thought the fans were tremendous tonight and it’s been tough for them. They’ve lost an icon, a legend, someone who they love and that’s never easy.

“But we need to give our fans more from a home point of view, otherwise we’re going to put a lot more pressure on ourselves in terms of the away fixtures.

“We know what we need to fix and we’ll do our best to fix it.”

Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass was less than happy with the decision to award Rangers a spot kick at 2-1 down as his team closed in on what would have been a significant victory.

Referee John Beaton pointed to the spot after Fashion Sakala and David Bates came together in the box. Glass accepted that a point was a good reward from the game but couldn’t fathom the decision that Beaton had reached.

“I’m happy but I feel we could have walked away with more,” he said. “There’s an incident with a penalty kick that doesn’t look like a penalty kick.

“Other than that we were brilliant defensively and we carried a threat as well. So I’m happy to come away with a point but disappointed at the end of the game.

“It’s a little bit of a coming together but it’s not a penalty kick.

“They’re a really good team with really good players, especially at the top end of the pitch and to get undone with a free kick that doesn’t look like a free kick, and a penalty that doesn’t look like a penalty, I think that’s good for us.”