Halliday sounds Euro warning

going to come with different issues. The game on Thursday is one we are really looking forward to and I think we have just got to take it a game at a time and see where it can take us.’ Last year, Gerrard’s men were edged out of qualification for the last 32 by Villarreal and Rapid Vienna, with Spartak Moscow eventually propping up the group. While Halliday views the task of going one better this time around as being equally as difficult, he feels his teammates should have no inferiority complex. ‘I think we have shown now that we do belong in this competition,’ he added. ‘Obviously you go back to the disappointment of Progres two years ago and, at that time, we weren’t good enough as a team, as a squad. But I think over the last two years we have shown that we can compete at this level. It is a step above but it is one I think we can handle.’ Gerrard will have to cope without Ryan Kent for between four and six weeks, though, after the winger’s return to Rangers was cut short with a hamstring injury in the 3-1 win over Livingston on Saturday. ‘It’s disappointing to lose him like that but he had a hamstring injury last season and came back flying,’ said Halliday. There were still 17 minutes left and one goal in it when Lyndon Dykes’ outstretched arm connected with Connor Goldson’s face on the halfway line. Willie Collum dipped into his pocket to issue a second booking to the Australian with the inevitable red following. But for all his day ended in sad circumstances, the contribution of the 23-year-old Livingston striker at Ibrox was still praiseworthy. Handed a thankless task by manager Gary Holt, he singlehandedly occupied Goldson and Nikola Katic, held the ball up and got his side up the field. Had it not been for the alertness of Allan McGregor, his low strike would have handed his side a two-goal lead. Two days after penning an extension to keep him at the club until 2022, Dykes amply demonstrated that he was worthy of such a show of faith. ‘He’s been brilliant,’ said team-mate Chris Erskine. ‘He’s stepping up to the Premier League, but he’s already scored a few goals. He’s a big handful who gave their two centre-halves a right good run for their money.’