Gerrard slams first-team after 'embarrassing' show v Liverpool U-23s | OneFootball

Steven Gerrard was embarrassed as he found his side full of first-teamers down 4-0 at the half to Liverpool’s U-23s in a closed-door friendly on Tuesday.

However, four goals in the final 20 minutes from Rangers youngsters allowed them to battle back and earn a 4-4 draw.

After the match, Gerrard voiced his displeasure at his fringe stars.

“Well I think it’s a few different reasons really, the first was to give people game-time who haven’t played as much.

“We want to try and keep them as sharp and as fit as possible for the run-in and the other reason was to have a look at some young talent that had been doing really well in the Reserves or the 18s and give them an opportunity to be around the first-team lads and see how they can cope playing against good players at Ibrox.

“It was a very useful game. I probably learned more in that 90 minutes about the players than I have done all season because it was a game of two halves.

“First half was an embarrassment and the second half was fantastic. It was a very useful exercise for different reasons but in terms of us as staff, we learned so much about the players individually.”

The four young players, all 17 or 18 years old, took full advantage of their chance to impress.

“I think you’d expect that with young kids, you expect them to come in and it’s a much bigger opportunity for them because they’re desperate to impress.

“You always know they’re going to run around and work hard, giving you the stuff which really isn’t up for debate – hard work, desire and commitment.

“What impressed me the most was they never had any fear. It was almost like ‘yeah, the opportunity’s there and I’m going to grab it. The four youngsters, all 17 and 18 years of age, took their opportunity and it was great to see.

“They entertained, it was just great to watch them, good fun.”

Reliable Rangers fan account @IbroxChat supplied the details of the match, which included the starting XI and the players who ended up making the difference.