Gerrard: Get minds right
Steven Gerrard has warned Rangers’ players if they go into their Europa League tie with the wrong attitude they’ll come a cropper like they did a year ago.
Pedro Caixinha’s Ibrox side flopped in the first qualifying round last summer by going out to Progres Niederkorn.
Gerrard is convinced that there won’t be a repeat on his watch as he prepares to face Macedonian minnows FK Shkupi at the same stage at Ibrox on Thursday night.
But the Gers gaffer will drill into his new-look team the importance of not being
complacent against the side from Skopje.
That’s because he knows how dangerous they can be having played in similar games for Liverpool.
Ahead of the f irst- leg showdown, Gerrard said: “These games are difficult in a different way to playing against a big gun.
“With all due respect it’s not the same as coming up against world-class players or a world-class team.
“But it’s tricky because the players won’t know too much about the opposition or certain individuals.
“And if you don’t approach it right you can have that shock value. If you take someone lightly that’s when you come unstuck.
“It’s my job to make sure the players are ready and they wi l l be. I haven’t watched the Progres games from last year. I’m not really interested because they’re nothing to do with me.
“But if you don’ t approach games in Europe with the right attitude you can face major problems.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s the first qualifier or the semifinal – if you don’t approach it right you’re in trouble.”
Meanwhile, it has been reported Gerrard will be given f i rst refusal by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on any Anf ield kid being allowed to leave on loan.
Rangers have a live interest in the likes of Ben Woodburn and Dominic Solanke but the German has yet to decide whether they’ll remain as part of his Premier League squad.
If they do go out on loan it’s believed Rangers will be given first option to bring them to Glasgow.
Harry Wilson, who was being chased by both Rangers and Celtic, scored two for Klopp’s men in a 7- 0 friendly win over Chester yesterday but is unlikely to end up in Glasgow.
If Klopp opts to farm him out on loan this season he’ll stay in England, with Stoke favourites to land him.