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Let's not beat about the bush. Steven Gerrard is about to come under some serious pressure for the first time since moving to Ibrox.

Don’t get me wrong, not for one minute do I think his position as manager should be under threat despite the run that has left him trailing Celtic by 10 points.

There have been more than enough clear signs of improvement over the last 18 months to ensure his role in the job is not even up for debate. So don’t expect me to join in with any ridiculous discussions about whether he’s the man for the job or not. There’s no doubt in my mind he is.

But he has reached a crucial point in his career as a young Rangers manager. And after the way his team collapsed at Kilmarnock he needs to think very carefully about where he goes from here. And who comes with him.

First and foremost he needs to look around that dressing and work out who is really hurting right now. And, more importantly, who is not hurting anywhere near enough.

I’ll be honest. I got a new TV for my birthday and there were moments the other night when I was so angry I thought I was going to rip it off the wall.

(Image: SNS Group)

At one point I had to stop myself from throwing one of my flip flops through the screen. I just wanted to be out there at Rugby Park helping to do something about it before it was too late.

I let my emotions get the better of me and at my age I should know better. But when you know how much it means to play for Rangers and to win trophies for the club, that fire never burns itself out.

That’s why I worry about the mentality of some of the players in Gerrard’s team right now. I watched too many of them go down the other night without being prepared to put up a fight. Where was the anger?

Where was the drive and determination to dig themselves out of a hole after Killie made it 1-1? Where was the refusal to take no for an answer?

Looking in from the outside, it’s almost as if some of them think it’s OK to lose games while wearing a Rangers shirt and if that really is the case they are at the wrong club. It should hurt like hell.

Most importantly, I could see that same pain written all over Gerrard’s face. I could tell just by looking at him he is not prepared to accept what these players have been giving him since they returned from the winter break.

I could see a man who was ready to give out some harsh words and make some big decisions. Gerrard does not strike me as the kind of guy who would be scared of doing whatever is required if he feels others are not respecting the standards he has set for them.

That’s why I’d be a worried man if I was one of those players. I’d have listened to his post-match interview and been terrified he was talking about me when he said there may be players in there who are not as strong as he thought. I’d be bursting my balls to get back out there and prove to him I deserve to wear that jersey. I’d want to show him how much it means to me and how badly I care.

That’s the minimum these guys will have to come up with between now and the end of the season if they are to prove they deserve to be a part of his plans going forward. If he can’t stop nine in a row then he certainly can’t afford any

passengers for

the following campaign when 10 will be on the line.

(Image: PA)

That’s not to say I’m throwing in the towel on this year’s title. Yes, I accept it’s going to be difficult for Rangers to come back from here but let’s not forget they have a game in hand and two Old Firm derbies left. That’s nine points to play for right there.

These players can’t afford to feel sorry for themselves because they’re getting a bit of stick or down tools because they think it’s beyond them.

They deserve every bit of criticism they’re getting. They have to be man enough to take it on the chin and respond to it. They have to show they are worthy of that shirt.

And the only way to do that is to work harder than ever on the training ground and win more games on the football pitch. They have to show the manager and fans they are capable of going on a long run of wins between now and the end of the season.

If that’s not enough to stop Celtic? If they are then accused of doing too little too late? Well, they’ll just have to suck all that up too because it’s part and parcel of being at a club like Rangers. Second best will never be acceptable to anyone who cares about that club.

Now is not the time for them to hide behind their manager or disappear into their shells. If their shoulders aren’t broad enough for the jersey they have no place here at all.

That’s the weeding-out process Gerrard has to begin.

Yes he’s a young manager and he’s going to make his own mistakes along the way but the bottom line is too many of these players have let him down too many times.

He is the right man for Rangers and is moving the club in the right direction. He’s not throwing his players under a bus when he points out where they’re going wrong, he’s being brutally honest with them and treating them like grown-ups.

It’s up to them now to prove they’re man enough for the job.