‘We are ready to take on Europe’

GYLFI SIGURDSSON insists Everton will be better prepared to compete in the Europa League than the last time they qualified.

Carlo Ancelotti’s stars are aiming for a European place this season to cement the progress made under Goodison’s Italian boss.

Everton haven’t been in the Europa League since a disastrous group stage campaign as Ronald Koeman’s reign in charge fell apart in 2017. The Toffees finished third in their group winning just one of their six games.

And as they prepare to meet Southampton on Merseyside tomorrow, Icelandic star Sigurdsson – who played in that doomed campaign – is confident they would fare better under Ancelotti’s guidance if they qualify.

“Obviously that’s still a long way away and there are a lot of games still to play,” said Sigurdsson.

“But hopefully if we are there, the club will be better prepared for it than a couple of years ago.

“The squad is stronger and the team is better now with a manager who has experienced a lot in this game so I’d like to think we’d do well.”

Ancelotti’s influence has raised the bar in terms of expectation. And midfielder Sigurdsson (above), fresh from scoring the late penalty against Liverpool which sealed Everton’s first Anfield win in 21 years, believes the Italian’s mentality is rubbing off on the dressing room.

He added: “It’s easy to trust a manager who has pretty much won every trophy there is to win in football and you can see it in training, he demands a lot from everyone and wants to win things.

“The level in training has definitely gone up. So it’s easy to go along with the manager and whatever he says because he’s been there and done it and seen it so many times before.”

Before Everton can think about Europe they have to sort out their home record. They have lost their last three top flight games at Goodison Park and not won there in the league since December 19.

“It’s something we need to improve on,” admitted Sigurdsson. “A couple of years ago we couldn’t win an away game, now it’s the opposite way around.

“Training has been good. Beating Liverpool was a good boost and sends us into the next one against Southampton more confident.

“I’m sure in the next couple of games we will start to win at home again and hopefully that will give us the difference in form that will take us up the league.”