Halliday targets confidence on t
RANGERS’ exploits in Europe won’t end their long wait for silverware this season but goals have still been set and expectations must still be reached in the coming weeks.
The chances of Steven Gerrard’s side going all the way and lifting the Europa League trophy are more than slim this term, yet the continental competition won’t be dismissed or discarded at Ibrox.
Gerrard played down the prospect of putting less emphasis on Europe this season to aid Rangers’ chances of winning the Premiership title or tasting success in one of the cup competitions.
Those ambitions are of greater importance to Rangers in the coming months but having waited so long to return to group-stage football in Europe, it cannot be dismissed after just one campaign back in territory that must become a regular hunting ground going forward.
With a stronger squad in place than this time last year, there is no reason why Rangers shouldn’t look to compete at home and abroad. For Andy Halliday, Gerrard’s side can do just that after eight arrivals during the summer window.
“We are very, very greedy and we want to do as well as we can in every competition that we are involved in,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, our priority at the end of the season will be medals and will be silverware but we certainly want to do well in every competition that we are in. Our main priority in the European competition is to get to the group stage.
“I think that was something that the gaffer touched on at the end of last season and if we are to progress as a football club then we need to have a lot more depth than we did last year. You can’t underestimate it as a football player and a 60-game season is a long period of time, so no-one can expect to play every single game. You do need that size of squad.
“Although you will be frustrated for a few weeks if you are not playing, your time will certainly come. We are more equipped to handle that this year.”
The wins over Shkupi, Osijek, Maribor and Ufa that Rangers recorded last term were amongst their most significant victories of Gerrard’s first campaign as manager.
St Joseph’s were dispatched with the minimum of fuss in the first round this month as a 4-0 win in Gibraltar was followed by a 6-0 success on home soil.
On Thursday night, goals from Joe Aribo and Sheyi Ojo earned another victory as a step towards the next stage was taken at Ibrox.
Rangers will look to finish the job against Progres Niederkorn next week and that will set up a third-round tie with Midtjylland as Gerrard looks to lead his side all the way once again.
“Even if you look back at the games that we played in the qualifying rounds last year, they were very difficult games,” Halliday said.
“Maribor was a really stern test, I thought they were a good team, and over there we had our backs against the wall for the majority of the game. Thankfully we did enough at Ibrox to get the result to go through in that game.
“And then you look at Ufa and the hardest 90 minutes of my career. Being down to nine men for 60 minutes, it is certainly no mean feat. It certainly wasn’t easy by any means to get to the group stage but, like I say, we felt within the amount of games that we played last season that we belong in the competition.
“Ultimately, that is our goal, but it is certainly not easy to do that. We have started well so far but we just need to take it a game at a time and try and get through.”
That run to the group stages last term was followed by memorable nights against Rapid Vienna, Spartak Moscow and Villarreal in Group G but a knockout berth wasn’t secured as Rangers fell just short.
It was a far cry from their previous attempt at qualification, though, and it was a European campaign that brought much-needed prestige and finance back to Ibrox.
Rangers’ rebuilding job has been a costly one in recent years and chairman Dave King has stressed the importance of European income as Rangers look to become self-sustaining once again. The focus for Gerrard’s players is to operate at as high a level as possible.
Halliday said: “You look at two years ago and you go out at the first round against Progres and then you go into the competition the next year and, as a football club, was there an expectation to get to the group stage? Outside, probably not.
“But as a group of players we were confident and we have got to take a lot more confidence on the back of last year going into this year that we can do it again. It is going to be difficult.
“It was expected for so long and Rangers and Celtic were getting into European competitions year in, year out. It has been a long time coming since there has been that consistent basis for us. If we go again this year, it is certainly a good step forward.”
The target before a ball was kicked against St Joseph’s in Gibraltar was the group stages and that aim hasn’t changed for Gerrard and his players.
Progress must be taken care of in the Stade Josy Barthel before the trip to Denmark can be contemplated. If that challenge arrives, it is one Rangers will relish.
Halliday said: “I think last season we showed that we can certainly compete in the campaign but we’re not going to look beyond Progres.
“Given the result we had two years ago, we have to put that right. Obviously you take interest in the draw because you are involved in it and I am sure they are a very good team.
“They have played in the Europa League for a few years now and we will look at that when the time comes. They have certainly good a good pedigree. Since the draw, I have looked up a bit myself and they are currently second in the league after a couple of games and they won the Danish Cup final. So they are certainly a good team and it will be a test for us. But, like I said, we have got to deal with Progres first.”
It was expected for so long and Rangers and Celtic were getting into European competitions year in, year out. It has been a long time coming