Steven Gerrard has now been in charge of Glasgow Rangers for 13 games.
On the face of it, Rangers have made a promising start to life under Steven Gerrard.
They have reached the Europa League group stages for the first time since 2010/11, navigating a gruelling qualification process which included far-flung trips to Croatia and Russia. And Rangers have been beaten just once in Gerrard’s 13 games in charge; the Old Firm derby before the international break.
Even that 1-0 defeat to Celtic was an improvement on the five-goal hammerings that the Rangers sides of Pedro Caixinha and Mark Warburton endured.
But hanging over Gerrard’s head, counterbalancing the positivity, is one worrying stat; this, domestically, is Rangers’ worst start to a league season for 29 years. After four games played, the Gers are four points behind Celtic already, seven adrift of league leaders Hearts.
The overriding feeling, however, is that Rangers have performed far better than the results show. The fixture list handed Gerrard a difficult start to his managerial tenure, and only last-minute goals denied him impressive away wins at Aberdeen and Motherwell.
Hold on for a few more seconds and Rangers would have four more points, putting them level with Celtic.
The fine margins are so important in football but the stats only tell half the story. Gerrard might have led Rangers to their worst domestic start in 29 years but things are genuinely looking up at Ibrox right now.
Performances are better, the players are better, the coaching is better and results will surely follow.
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