Glasgow Rangers of Scotland central defender, Leon Aderemi Balogun was on the receiving end of a verbal swipe from the club’s coach, Steven Gerrard, who blamed his side’s sloppy defending in Saturday’s defeat.
Megasportsarena.com reports that it was The Gers’ second pre-season game of the summer and, though their opposition was a club from the lower division, Balogun and his colleagues struggled for form and lost 1-0.
In the wake of foibles by Balogun and the other defenders, Gerrard said he cannot tolerate his players being soft and weak, as he lamented their loss to Tranmere Rovers.
Saturday’s game was in conast to joy that rolled through Ibrox when Rangers opened their pre-season account with a 1-0 victory over Scottish League One champions Patrick Thistle on Monday, but Gerrard was not satisfied with his side’s approach play on his return to Merseyside.
The Liverpool legend cut a sory picture, as Scott Wright, Ianis Hagi, Kemar Roofe, Jermain Defoe, Ryan Kent, Cedric Itten, Lewis Mayo and Balogun’s Nigerian compatriot, Joe Aribo all had chances in the game, which saw summer signing, John Lundstram make his debut.
This time, it was all gloom, as the Scottish Premiership champions lost to Micky Mellon’s League Two side as Kieron Morris’ first-half strike proved decisive in the friendly at Prenton Park on Saturday.
Despite the absence of a number of players who were involved in international football over the summer along with injured Ryan Jack and Nikola Katic, Gerrard was able to field 22 first-team players, but he could not get the desired result.
Gerrard moaned: “The goal we conceded was embarrassing from our level on how it was last year. People jumping out of the way of tackles, people being soft and weak, and I can’t tolerate that.
“It’s quite frustrating to lose the game. I think there was large pockets of control and you could clearly see our style. But over the 90 minutes in the final third it was nowhere near good enough for a Rangers standard.
“I have to take into consideration that it’s our second game and we are coming into the game fatigued, but the level of players we have got here I expect us to create more and certainly get a couple of goals each half.
“So disappointed with the result, quite frustrated with our final-third play but really happy with pockets and how certain individuals going about our business.
“But there were another eight positives to take from today and they are not here with us. So it will all work itself out. The big picture, the result is not important at the moment.
“The takeaway is where we have to improve, certainly the final third. As we move along we will get stronger and better and there will be a better level of performance. “
