Steven Gerrard compares his defence to 11-year-olds

Steven Gerrard called it like he saw it as a player, and he appears to have intention of changing his ways as a manager.

Having already interrupted Jordan Rossiter in a press conference to fire a warning to his Rangers side and slammed the players following a damaging 1-1 home draw with Kilmarnock.

And now the Rangers boss gave his defenders a roasting as they surrendered three Europa League points against Spartak Moscow on Thursday night.

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The Gers took the lead three times against Spartak Moscow in Russia but still lost 4-3. The defeat leaves them third in a tight Group G, behind their Russian rivals on goal difference.

Speaking after the match, Gerrard took a portion of the blame but still roasted his defenders.

When asked if defensive changes may have played a part in throwing away a lead three times, he said: “Possibly. I’ll take responsibility for that.

“But I think under 12’s and under 13’s can normally clear the ball with either foot and when you get a little bit older you learn to play the game positionally. So I’m a bit confused over that one.

“Normally to come here and score three goals you get a result,”he added. “But I’m bitterly disappointed with how we defended. You saw two sides of our performance tonight.

“We attacked very well and were very dangerous and countered very bravely and got our rewards and took control at half time.

“However, football is about levels and if you don’t do the basics well enough and defend properly then high level teams will normally punish you.

“We didn’t do the basics well enough or clear our lines at the right times and on other occasions we were not in the right positions.”