John Lundstram gave a cautious response when the extent of the title task was put toward him following the return of Michael Beale as manager.
Any potential hopes of being in a league championship race in a few months time are realistically hanging by a thread given the obvious nine point gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership but it goes deeper than that.
Celtic are setting the pace, getting the required results and building momentum along the way in contrast to what’s happening at Ibrox. The reset button has been engaged with an old face coming in as the new manager. Things should improve initially as often happens with a new manager bounce but for Rangers to land a blow, Beale will need to oversee five straight wins from his first run of games which will culminate with the New Year visit of Celtic to G51.
Hibs, Aberdeen, Ross County, Motherwell, Celtic. Those are the fixtures ahead in the coming weeks that represent the challenge for Beale and his coaching team to apply themselves to, just what can they get out of the current squad? It will be interesting but a 100% return will be a tall order, as much as it is achievable. Four from four ahead of the Old Firm derby would certainly set things up nicely.
In speaking to Rangers TV, Lundstram mulled over the first phase of the new era with a guarded comment on overcoming the odds:
“We just need to take on board all the gaffers’ new ideas and try to integrate the new style and new ideas. It is all geared towards that and obviously getting our legs going again. The league is the main focus and we really need to try and close the gap, that is the main aim.”
“We fell behind and we are under no illusions it is going to be tough to get the nine points back but it’s football it is not impossible, so let’s see what happens.”
“The gaffer was a great coach with me when I first come in under Steven so to be working with him again is great because we know how good he is as a coach and how good he gets his point across. He’s so good at communicating.”
That last point is a big one. Moving forward, everyone will know exactly what is expected of them in no uncertain terms, on the pitch and in the dressing room. Beale and the players need to put the rest into action.