Gerrard wants Rangers to be the group surprise package
Steven Gerrard insists Rangers can spring a few surprises and qualify for the knock-out rounds of the Europa League.
The Scottish side make their return to the group stages of a European competition for the first time in eight years when they take on Villarreal tonight.
Making it this far can be regarded as a major achievement for the Englishman and his new-look side.
But the former Uefa Champions League winner as a player with Liverpool has bigger ambitions than that and insists his side have not fought their way through four qualifiers just to make up the numbers.
Ahead of their Group G opener against the La Liga opponents, Gerrard declared his team are out to cause a shock at El Madrigal.
“It’s important we take one game at a time,” he said. “We are the underdogs in the group in terms of the opinions from outside, but in the dressing room we have a quiet confidence and belief we can cause a shock and get out of the group.
“We are not here to make up the numbers. We want to challenge in the group and see where we end up.
“This game doesn’t highlight how far I’ve taken the group but how far the team have taken themselves and the hard work and effort they have put in to get to this stage.
“We all believe this is where this club should be after difficult times and not many people gave us a chance of making this stage. If people want to underestimate us or write us off that’s fine. I can see a togetherness and a team growing. I’m happy where we are at this moment.”
Rangers’ Glasgow neighbours Celtic are also in action as they play host to Rosenborg and manager Brendan Rodgers wants the Scottish champions to be more lethal in front of goal.
They have only scored five goals in five domestic games this season, something that has left Rodgers frustrated.
“On paper, we have lots of players that can score but you don’t win the game on paper,” said the Northern Irishman, who revealed Kristoffer Ajer is a big doubt with a virus
while fellow defender Jozo Simunovic remains out with a knee injury.
“You have to win it on the field. We have to take those opportunities.
“I have always said possession is no good on its own. We have to have that penetration. But we have to be more demanding of ourselves now. That is our message.
“My trust in the players is 100 per cent, they have been brilliant in the time I have been here.
“But we need to improve in the final third of the pitch. Defensively we have been solid in our last four games, keeping a clean sheet, but we need to do more in the attacking third of the pitch.”