Steven Gerrard's coaching career is showing worrying trends of following the last few years of his playing days by cleaving to the phenomenon we have no better phrase for than the Banter Heuristic - by which it means that all outcomes are governed by whatever gives in the highest possible yield of b****r.
In a rip-roaring lunchtime game at Fir Park today, Rangers twice trailed to Motherwell before taking a 3-2 lead into the half-time break. In even better news for Gerrard, his new signing Kyle Lafferty scored twice, along with Liverpool youngster Ovie Ejaria.
Motherwell, as you might expect, pushed forward in the second half, as Rangers dropped disastrously deep, to the point where they had ten players stationed on the edge of their own penalty area in the final minutes. The frantic shouts and gestations of Gerrard went unheeded.
Rangers, however, appeared to ride out the storm, until the final kick of the game. Motherwell had a corner in the final of three minutes of added time. Gerrard reacted by bringing on their beanpole defender Lee Wallace for forward Ejaria.
Making a change as you are defending a corner is generally taboo in football, and so it proved for Gerrard: Motherwell captain Peter Hartley turned the ball home unmarked, from two-yards out.
It was the second time this season that Rangers conceded a last-minute equaliser away from home.
What a clanger from rookie Rangers boss Steven Gerrard ! Made a substitution when Motherwell had a corner in the last seconds of injury time. Bizarre decision that defied most accepted football logic and Motherwell skipper Peter Hartley took advantage to grab a deserved leveller.
— Brian McNally (@McNallyMirror) August 26, 2018
Brilliant game at Fir Park, Motherwell thoroughly deserving of their point, it would've been daylight robbery if they didn't get anything from the game, must say though that dropped point is on Steven Gerrard, schoolboy error to make a sub when defending a corner in injury time.
— Inside The SPFL (@AgentScotland) August 26, 2018
Ha love it Motherwell.
Gerrard making a sub before a corner is taken.Rookie mistake 😂😂— Peter Ridgeway (@peterridgeway) August 26, 2018
Well don't think anyone can deny that Motherwell deserved a draw today, silly decision for Gerrard to make a sub that late as well imo
— Mark (@Mark1461) August 26, 2018
School boy error by Gerrard. Never make a sub at a corner.
— FHT (@HFT3102000) August 26, 2018
After the game, Gerrard defended his 5-3-2 formation by saying that it brought them three goals while attributed the latter two goals Rangers conceded as being down to poor set-piece defending. The first, he says, was a freak goal, and said that he understands it as he had been there himself.
He's not lying there.
