Rangers drew away to Motherwell on Sunday.
Steven Gerrard’s side were seconds away from keeping hold of their second place spot in the Scottish Premiership yesterday, until Motherwell’s Peter Hartley poked in a 94th minute winner for the home side.
The goal came from a corner, and Gerrard controversially made a substitution just before it was taken in the hope of having “more height” in the box to help defend the set piece. It proved futile, as sub Lee Wallace could not help prevent the last minute equaliser.
Gerrard has identified defending set-pieces as one of his side’s key weaknesses that they need to work on if they are to challenge for the title.
“I’m bitterly disappointed with the timing of the equaliser,” Gerrard said. “It obviously hurts that little bit more when it comes that late. We were a set-piece away from taking maximum points against tough opposition.”
The Rangers boss is content with his team’s general performance, but admitted their defending at set pieces was not up to scratch.
“I thought we defended very well to their style in open play for the majority of the game.
“But we haven’t defended anywhere near well enough on set plays. We’ve been done twice.”
Rangers started the game poorly, conceding in the third minute, but responded well and went into half-time 3-2 up thanks to a Kyle Lafferty brace on his first appearance since returning to the club from Hearts.
The Glasgow side now gave 5 points after three games, one less than their arch rivals Celtic, and four less than Hearts, the only team with a 100% record in the Scottish Premiership.
After the first leg of their Europa League play-off against FC Ufa which takes place on Thursday, Rangers will take part in the first Old Firm derby of the season when they travel to Parkhead on Sunday 2nd September.
