STEVEN GERRARD was thrilled with his players’ efforts as they came from a goal down to defeat stubborn Motherwell at Ibrox this afternoon.
The Ibrox gaffer saw his side concede early-on to a Callum Lang strike but three goals in the final 17 minutes from Cedric Itten and a Kemar Roofe double ensured the three points remained on the Southside.
Gerrard was seeking a reaction from his side following the midweek defeat at St Mirren, and he told RangersTV: "We got that after the first 10-15 minutes. We conceded the first goal very poorly from our point of view but I am really proud and pleased with how we reacted from going a goal down.
"We kept asking questions all afternoon and we were relentless in finding a way back into the game.
"It was important players stuck to the their roles, and not just stick to their roles, improve and get better at trying to do your role individually within the team.
"Eventually, our success came. It was about staying calm at half-time and making the right subs at the right time and I thought the subs were really, really big for us today.
"That is nothing against the players that left the pitch as they have obviously done their best to try and get back in the game.
"But, sometimes if the subs are in the right place, they can come on and help you change things.
"I thought Ceddy [Cedric Itten] was outstanding when he came on, as were Ianis [Hagi] and Joe Aribo.
"So I am really pleased with the character we have shown over the course of the 90 minutes.
"It was a new experience today as in my short, two and a half years of coaching I have never played against a five and a five in-terms of a block.
"I think after they scored the goal, they just wanted to park the bus. It was as simple as that and it was all about us - we had all the ball and it was us that kept asking the questions - we were going from one side of the pitch to the other side, we were trying to go over and we were trying to go round and through.
"I am just so pleased that the boys stayed on the gas because you knew it was only going to be a matter of time.
"If we got one, we knew it would have a mental affect on Motherwell and it did."
Itten moved onto four for the season – with today’s strike being his first at Ibrox – while Roofe moved onto 10 in his Gers career so far – six of them being in his last five league matches.
Gerrard was delighted with what the duo gave him this afternoon, adding: "That is why we spent the money on those players. We knew at the end of the season we had to make changes and bring players in that are capable of stepping up at big moments.
"Kemar was outstanding today - his two finishes were very similar but great movement in the box and on his weak side twice - two excellent finishes.
"And Ceddy does what he does - he is a bit of a pest, a bit of a nuisance and he chases lost causes.
"It was a fantastic header at the back post to put us in front and then, a lot of people would give up then and think the game is won.
"But Ceddy keeps going and going and I am sure the fans will really appreciate the effort he gave today."
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