Gerrard has concerns in final third
● Comfortable for visitors although keeper Mcgregor called upon to make key saves
Steven Gerrard admitted he has concerns about Rangers’ shot-shy strikeforce after their stalemate with FK Shkupi in Macedonia.
The Ibrox club eased into the second Europa League qualifying round 2-0 on aggregate following a goalless second leg in Skopje, but new manager Gerrard said he was worried about his side’s lack of cutting edge.
“I’m a bit mixed right now,” the former Liverpool captain said. “We’re pleased with one side of the game but there is certainly a hell of a lot of work to do on the other side.
“Out of possession we were good, our shape was good. We were aggressive and I’m pleased with the clean sheet. I thought Allan Mcgregor and my two centre-backs [Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic] were outstanding.”
Rangers progressed to face either Croatian side Osijek or Petrocub of Moldova, but Gerrard accepted he has work to do to ensure his side are not left firing blanks once more.
He continued: “Shkupi got one real chance on goal late on. We handled everything that was put at us bar that one chance.
“But I’m disappointed with us in possession for the first 30 minutes. I don’t think we passed the ball well enough, and throughout the game there was a serious lack of quality in the final third.
“We will get better on the ball and we will improve in the final third.
“There are things I’m pleased at, but I am concerned about the lack of quality in the final third.”
Rangers eased into the Europa League second qualifying round with a 2-0 aggregate win over Shkupi following a goalless draw in Macedonia.
Steven Gerrard’s side took a two-goal advantage into the second leg and enjoyed a mostly comfortable 90 minutes at the Philip II Arena.
The Ibrox club had more and better chances than their limited opponents and, although they failed to capitalise, they will simply be glad to get through to the next stage, where they play the winners of tomorrow’s tie between Croatian side Osijek and Petrocub of Moldova.
Two clean sheets will encourage Gerrard, but he will know improvement will be needed if his new charges are to make any sort of mark in this competition.
Skipper James Tavernier’s late penalty at Ibrox last Thursday had given Rangers some breathing space for the trip to Skopje, although in front of a sparse crowd the home side showed little indication that they could rescue the tie. Indeed, amid some early Rangers attacks Jamie Murphy almost steered in an Alfredo Morelos delivery from out wide, before he just missed a cross from the right by Tavernier.
However, the visitors found themselves having to survive a brief spell of pressure by the home side during which goalkeeper Allan Mcgregor
had to make saves from Blazhe Ilijoski and Kristijan Stojkovski.
Rangers, with midfielder Ryan Jack in for the injured Scott Arfield, responded and
in the 24th minute a driving run by Ibrox attacker Josh Windass ended with Shkupi keeper and captain Suat Zendeli pushing his shot to safety.
As Gerrard’s side regained control towards the end of the first half Morelos failed to control a Tavernier cross inside the box and another chance was gone.
There were more encouraging signs from the visitors at the start of the second half.
Another powerful rightfooted drive by Windass drew a good save from Zendeli, with Morelos adjudged offside from the rebound.
Eighteen-year-old winger Glenn Middleton replaced Windass soon afterwards and, as Rangers appeared to strengthen their grip on the tie, Zendeli punched away a Tavernier free-kick from 25 yards.
In the 72nd minute Ovie Ejaria, on loan from Liverpool, came on for Daniel Candeias and seconds later set up Middleton with a fine through ball, but the teenager hit the side-netting with his drive from 12 yards.
Rangers were mostly in control in the final stages, although with two minutes remaining only a fine stop by Mcgregor to thwart the onrushing Muarem Muarem ensured there would be no nervy ending.