Why Steven Gerrard previously called Rangers' Ross McCrorie a 'baby' and how he's outgrown that label

Steven Gerrard tried to protect Ross McCrorie during his Rangers breakthrough, but now there will be no Ibrox hiding place for him.

The defender developed through Rangers' academy system, alongside his twin brother, Robby.

McCrorie even captained Gers' Under-20s side, and was one of the highest-rated young talents on their books during his time in the youth setup.

His senior debut would arrive in September 2017 in a League Cup quarter-final against Partick Thistle, and he would go on to make 24 appearances for Rangers in that 2017-18 season.

However, generally disappointing performances had many asking questions over whether he was ready to handle a significant first-team role at Ibrox at that stage of his career.

2018 saw the installation of Gerrard as Rangers manager, and the future Scottish Premiership title-winning gaffer raced to McCrorie's defence.

Steven Gerrard was furious with how ex-Rangers coaches handled Ross McCrorie

The previous 2017-18 season had seen Pedro Caixinha and Graeme Murty both spend time in charge of Rangers, finishing that year third in the Scottish Premiership.

McCrorie had largely been asked to play as a central defender during his breakthrough campaign at Ibrox, which is now far from his natural position as a right-back.

So, when speaking via Sky Sports in August 2018, Gerrard tore into those coaches who came before him for not doing enough to protect the youngster by playing him out of position.

"He is a baby and when you are coaching babies you have to protect them from ruining them," said Gerrard at the time.

"If you toss them into huge Old Firm derbies out of position, there is a risk you can damage people and scar them."

McCrorie, whilst appreciative of Gerrard's support and praising the development he was making under him, made it clear that he wanted the pressure.

"I think I'm developing great under the gaffer," he said.

"I broke into the team last year but you can't learn from anybody better than Steven Gerrard. He was one of the best players of his generation.

"To be honest, I'd rather be thrown in at the deep end playing in the big games. That's how you are going to learn. I'm a Rangers fan so I'd play anywhere for this club."

McCrorie proved he's made of the right stuff at Bristol City

After leaving Rangers in the summer of 2020, McCrorie spent three years with Aberdeen before joining English Championship outfit Bristol City in the summer of 2023.

The Ashton Gate faithful have loved having McCrorie in their ranks, and the now 28-year-old has certainly shown that he's returning to Ibrox this summer far from the "baby" Gerrard once described him as.

As per FotMob, McCrorie ranked in the top 1.7 percentile of Championship players in his position for aerial duels won (106) in 2025-26.

Meanwhile, his 233 duels won and 36 fouls won placed him in the leading 2.6 and 11.1 per cent of his positional peers respectively.

McCrorie also won 68 tackles, took 43 shots, created 30 chances, took 94 touches in the opposition box and made 191 total defensive contributions from his 39 Championship games last season respectively.

Make no mistake then, McCrorie is not the fresh-faced young talent who Gerrard felt needed protecting once upon a time; he's an experienced, tough and mature defender ready to write the latest chapter in his Rangers story.