Ex-Celt Jarosik warns Gerrard that Euro rivals Czech all boxes
a huge plus for Rangers. They’re about to win the title and be champions.
“When they do that, they can put all the focus on Europe.
“And I’m sure Gerrard and the players will want to go far in this competition.
“That’s why it should be an interesting tie. I see chances for both clubs to go through, it’s probably 50/50.”
Slavia impressed everyone against Brendan Rodgers’ side in the last round, winning 2- 0 at the King Power to go through.
Last season in the Champions League, they ran Barcelona, Inter Mi lan and Borussia Dortmund close in games – drawing against the Spanish and Italian g giants.
Jarosik believes Trpisovsky has to take most of the credit for that. The Czech coach has built a young, energetic side who won’t accept second best. And despite the likes of teenage striker Abdallah Sima and midfielder Lukas Provod impressing against Leicester, Jarosik claims their real strength is team unity.
He said: “I can only say good words about Slavia. In Czech Republic, they’re the biggest club and in the last few years, they’ve been very strong.
“They decided to bring young, hungry and hard- working players to the club. On top of that, they’re tactically very good and physically ready. Not just the starting XI, I’m talking about all 20 players in the squad.
“They’re hungry guys with a good coach behind them. The biggest influence on their recent results is Trpisovsky.
“He has brought guys in who have the right character.
“They needed players to think like they belonged in first place.
“They play in a certain way and the coach doesn’t just want them to be number one in Cze ch Republic.
“He wants to be number one in Europe.
“They’re getting more experience in that environment b e c a u s e now they’re playing every year either in the Champions League or Europa.
“A nd the y ’ re playing well. They don’t just defend when they go away and attack at home.
“Home or away, they play the same way, with good football.
“I can’t pick out Slavia’s best players. It’s difficult because, all of the time, this team plays together.
“They are strong defensively and have a keeper (Ondrej Kolar) who is excellent with his feet.
“They have the young player Sima up front who they can use on the counter attack.
“Even with just one chance, he can score, as he showed against Leicester. But all the time, they work together.
“It doesn’t matter if they’re winning or losing, first minute or the last. They play as a unit in order to get the best result.
“Slavia don’t have a Diego Maradona or Lionel Messi. There are no superstars – just one very good team.”
Jarosik, who had two years in Glasgow with Celtic from 2006, admits Rangers and Slavia will have been delighted with the Europa last-16 draw.
He knows Slavia will feel they can go through – but he’s also aware of the Ibrox side’s quality and Gerrard’s aim to be a top boss.
Cur rent ly in charge of Slovenian side Cel j e , the 43- year- old said: “It ’ s a fantastic draw for Slavia because it gives them a good chance to take the next step in Europe.
“In the last round, Leicester didn’t fight to go through. I hope Rangers will be very different.
“They will want to fight so I expect a big duel where both teams give everything.
“Gerrard is doing a good job. I expected him to be a manager.
“It’s good for him to start at a club like Rangers.
“If he does it there, he’ll take his next step as a manager.
“This is the best way, to start at a smaller club – then aim for the biggest.”
Rangers are about to be champions .. then they can put all their focus on Europe and they will want to go far