‘Night and day’ – MacDonald highlights key difference that can help Rangers lift 20/21 title
Former Rangers striker John MacDonald believes that the lack of winter break could help Steven Gerrard’s in their bid for the Scottish Premiership title.
MacDonald bagged a hat-trick the last time that Rangers scored eight in a league match back in 1980, as the Gers beat Kilmarnock 8-1.
That result did not lead Rangers to the 1980-81 title, but the ex striker said that the current side looks like a “different team” to past iterations that have fallen short.
“We didn’t have the consistency to win the league and that has been a criticism levelled at Steven Gerrard’s team in the last few seasons,” said MacDonald (via Daily Record).
“But I hope, unlike our eight-goal scoreline, that this one counts towards a league title and it’s certainly looking good because they look a different team.
“I’m just glad there’s no winter break this season. I couldn’t go through a collapse like last season. I was actually at the previous game against Hamilton at Ibrox and it was a shock defeat.
“But Sunday was night and day compared to that. He made five changes and it didn’t make a difference. And the guys who are coming in can be relied on to do a job.”
Rangers have made an outstanding start to the season and have lost just one match so far this season.
With a nine-point gap to Celtic, who have two games in hand, they have a great chance at this stage, but there remain plenty of games to play.
The lack of a winter break could be a blessing and a curse though, with Gerrard’s side required to play plenty of matches as they balance their title and Europa League campaigns.
However, as MacDonald noted, Gerrard has been able to rotate heavily throughout the season and this could be the key to avoiding burnout later in the season. At this stage, Rangers have a core group of 17 players who are able to slip in and out of the team seamlessly and that has allowed them to maintain such high levels in every match.
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