McAllister: We have character for another run on continent

GARY MCALLISTER is confident Rangers have the character to handle fighting on domestic and European fronts this season should their continental campaign continue in the coming weeks and months.

Rangers have made an encouraging start to the new term and have taken six points from their first two Premiership outings against Kilmarnock and Hibernian.

On Sunday, a 3-0 victory over East Fife earned Steven Gerrard’s side a place in the Betfred Cup quarterfinals and a trip to Livingston next month as the Liverpool legend looks to win his first silverware as manager.

But it is the Europa League group stages the Govan side have their sights set on this midweek as they head to Poland for the first leg of their play-off clash with Legia Warsaw on Thursday evening.

Gerrard has overhauled the squad he inherited at Ibrox last summer and the group he has at his disposal is the strongest Rangers have had for some time.

That will stand them in good stead as they bid for success at home and abroad this term and victory over Legia would see Rangers take part in the group stages for the second consecutive season after several years out of European action.

The top-flight fixture with St Mirren follows the tie in Poland, while the first Old Firm showdown of the campaign will be played just days after the return leg at Ibrox.

“Yeah, I think so,” McAllister said when asked if Rangers now had the mentality that Gerrard felt needed to be instilled in the squad when he was appointed last summer.

“The games against Legia Warsaw are crucial for us, I feel. I think the profile of the club doesn’t half take a hike up if we get to the Europa League proper again.

“I loved the games against Villarreal, Spartak and Rapid at Ibrox last season. Big games under the lights at Ibrox, against those top-end clubs, are something that just take our players up another level. Because you have to be really switched on in those games.

“The fact you are going from that back into a domestic game, which is totally different, takes a different type of mentality.”