Let’s prove we can cope, says Gerrard
STEVEN GERRARD insists his new-look Rangers side must prove they can thrive in front of an expectant Ibrox to sustain the feelgood factor surrounding the club. The 38-year-old is eager to avoid a false start when he begins his competitive tenure in tonight’s sold-out Europa League qualifier against FK Shkupi. Gerrard’s appointment as manager and the arrival of nine new signings — with negotiations still ongoing over a £3million bid for Millwall defender Jake Cooper — has created a fresh sense of optimism among fans following the disappointments of recent seasons. The former England
captain insists, however, that his players now have to meet those demands every time they take to the field. ‘We’re happy there is an expectation and that there is a positivity about, but the players have to handle that responsibility and the pressure that is part of this club,’ said Gerrard. ‘Every player that comes into this club does an interview and says it’s great to be part of Rangers, one of the most successful clubs in the world, and they are at a big club now. But now you have to go and perform and accept that. ‘You have to play under pressure and enjoy that pressure and thrive on it. We can’t have players who are going to sink, because that’s when the problems happen. ‘We have spoken about what we want to make Ibrox this year, we have spoken about standards and consistency.’ Gerrard declined to comment on the move to land Cooper, but confirmed adding a centre-back was a priority after Bruno Alves was released to join Parma. ‘The contract will be terminated, so Bruno won’t be coming back and we wish him all the best in his next adventure,’ said Gerrard. He has concluded loan deals for striker Umar Sadiq and midfield ‘destroyer’ Lassana Coulibaly, admitting both will take a ‘short while’ to reach the fitness levels of their new colleagues. Although Cooper is now the primary focus of transfer attention, Gerrard will seek further additions to complete a recruitment drive backed by the Ibrox board. ‘They have been superb,’ he said of the club hierarchy. ‘They have done exactly what they said they would when we spoke before I got the job.’ Gerrard confirmed Jordan Rossiter had been sidelined by an ankle knock unconnected to his previous fitness problems, while he also insisted Lee Wallace had not been included in the squad because of injury. The former club captain remains involved in a disciplinary dispute as he appeals a four-week fine for his part in an alleged bustup with ex-boss Graeme Murty.