Gers are saved by the Hel
SLAVIA PRAGUE 1 RANGERS 1
Filip Helander nets a vital away goal as Ibrox side bounce back in Prague
STEVEN GERRARD insisted he wants “world-class” Allan McGregor to sign a new deal after the keeper’s miracle save put Rangers within 90 minutes of the Europa League last eight.
The 39-year-old No.1 broke Slavia Prague’s hearts with a magnificent last-minute stop at the Eden Arena to keep out a bullet header from sub Lukas Masopust and allow Gerrard’s team to get back to Glasgow with a score draw.
The result leaves Scotland’s
champions in a strong position to finish off the job back at Ibrox next week and clinch a place in the quarter-finals.
And Gerrard revealed a contract extension is already on the table for his shot-stopper.
The beaming Light Blues boss said: “I’ve spoken about it before, how much we rate Allan, how much we love him here, how much we want to carry on.
“At the same time, I’ve told you guys I will respect him. He knows what’s on the table.
“He’s in discussions with the club and from where I’m sitting, I hope we get it over the line and sign him up for another year because he is more than capable.
“I know that on a daily basis by working with him and watching him closely.
“The decision is going to be down to Allan, not us – because we certainly want him.”
However, Gerrard admitted his team struggled to come out of the blocks against a pacy, powerful Czech side after celebrating clinching a first Premiership title in 10 years over the weekend.
They were 1-0 down after only six minutes when McGregor was beaten by a wonder strike from Nicolae Stanciu.
But they fought back to bag a crucial equaliser through Filip Helander before half-time after the Swede was presented with an open goal by Ianis Hagi’s quick thinking.
Gerrard added: “There were a few big, pivotal moments in the game and opportunities for both sides to get the winner.
“Allan has come big for us again and it is a top, top save to get it back and drag it back into his grasp.
“It was another world-class save. But this is a difficult place to come, we were playing against a real powerful, strong team and they like to play at a real high intensity.
“That shocked us a bit at the beginning – not in terms of our preparation because we knew it was coming – but after the week we’ve had, they certainly came out of the blocks quicker.
“What you’ve got to take into consideration is everyone connected to the club has had a real emotional week.
“With what they gave the game in terms of effort and application, I’m so proud.
“Nathan (Patterson) epitomised that. He was really strong, he became a man tonight and there will be plenty more appearances for him for us moving forward after his suspension is done.
“Once we settled into the game we did more than enough to get back into it.
“If anything, we more than matched them from that point until the end.
“It’s a fair result over the 90 minutes and the tie is finely balanced now.
“The away goal is very important. You’ve got to try to do that, so I’m delighted with that.
“It’s non-negotiable in our team that if a cross comes in, you’ve got to run through the goal posts.
“I expected it to be more of an attacking player but credit to Fil as he never switched off.
“Connor Goldson could have scored another for us and we also had some good opportunities on the break bursting into the box.
“Overall I have no complaints with the result and it’s all set up for a fantastic game next week.”