Rangers expect to find gaps as Shkupi press

Gerrard believes Macedonians will throw caution to the wind in bid to overcome deficit

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard believes his team can exploit gaps as Shkupi chase the game in Macedonia today.

Gerrard’s side lead 2-0 in the Europa League first qualifying round after James Tavernier’s stoppage-time penalty in the first leg changed the complexion of the tie.

Shkupi had frustrated Rangers at Ibrox after Jamie Murphy’s early opener but Gerrard expects them to throw caution to the wind in Skopje.

“They came with a game plan to be organised and a team block and to be difficult to break down,” he said.

“I respect their game plan at Ibrox but I expect something completely different tomorrow.

“Shkupi are losing 2-0 in the tie at halftime so if they come with an aggressive style and they want to push to get back into the tie, I actually think that’s playing into our hands, because to push and to be aggressive, they obviously have to take risks.

“So we need to be ready to pounce on any risks to kill the tie. We believe one goal kills the tie.

“We know it is going to be hot and humid, and it might be a tricky surface and a tricky game, but we are ready for whatever gets thrown at us.”

The former Liverpool skipper added: “I think the scoreline suggests that FC Shkupi have to be aggressive.

“They’re the home team so it doesn’t make sense for them to be defensive and sit back. So we’ll be ready for an aggressive style.”

Gerrard will also warn his team about complacency after Rangers were stunned in last year’s qualifiers.

The Ibrox side took a 1-0 first leg lead to Luxembourg but bowed out to minnows Progres Niederkorn.

Midfielder Scott Arfield did not travel with the squad for today’s game after picking up a knock in the first leg.

The hosts could field 16-year-old Suhejlj Muharem, who was unavailable for the first leg at Ibrox last week.

Meanwhile, Rangers have loaned striker Eduardo Herrera to Mexican side Santos Laguna.

Herrera previously played on loan there when Pedro Caixinha was manager of Santos, who have a partnership arrangement with Celtic.

The 29-year-old was signed again by Caixinha for Rangers last summer but only scored two goals in 24 appearances and had been sidelined by new boss Gerrard during pre-season.

The signing was announced on the Santos Twitter feed.

“We believe one goal kills the tie. STEVEN GERRARD

Picture: Getty Images. Jamie Murphy drove in an early opener for Rangers in the first leg at Ibrox but the hosts only added to that goal with a stoppage-time penalty.