Steven Gerrard: Roofe's goal is 'the best I've ever seen live'

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard was full of praise for striker Kemar Roofe after his long-range strike in the 2-0 win over Standard Liege.

James Tavernier’s goal had given Rangers the lead in Belgium and put the team on course for three points in their Europa League Group D opener but Roofe had the moment of the game in the final minute.

The forward collected the ball deep in his own half and shrugged off challenges before unleashing a shot from 55 yards that sailed into the net.

Gerrard said he had never seen a goal like it and hailed Roofe’s vision.

“The goal was a moment of genius,” the Rangers manager said. “A world-class moment.

“I’ve been playing football professionally since 1998 and it’s the best goal I’ve ever seen live with my own eyes.

“He collects the ball 15 yards outside our box, he’s strong for two challenges. He holds the player off for the third challenge and then he actually takes the player on in the worst conditions.

“Then to have the vision, the power and the class to score from 55 yards, I don’t think I’ve seen a better goal and I don’t think I will see a better goal.”

Okay, Rangers. Keep the ball and see out the match.@roofe has other ideas 😱😱pic.twitter.com/Nwd55b3GCL
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 22, 2020

The Rangers boss revealed that despite his team holding the lead at half-time, he had words at the break to ensure his team took a grip of the game.

“I had to say certain things at half-time,” he said. “We needed to be better in possession.

“I thought our organisation was good and besides a couple of crosses that we allowed to come in, I thought we were OK from a defensive point of view.

“We needed to show more style and to believe in ourselves more once we regained the ball, so we could keep it for longer periods.

“So we had to have a little go at half-time but the first 20 minutes of the second half we were outstanding, more like the Rangers that I like to see with style and a real possession-based approach when we win the ball back.

“But then obviously the weather changed dramatically and the conditions became unplayable and very unpredictable.

“It became about who was going to manage the conditions better from there on in.

“But you have to give the players credit because I think you saw a different side to us in the final 25 minutes. We dug in, we handled the conditions and we thoroughly deserved a big win at a difficult place to come.”