Gerrard: Fear motivates my team in Europe
● Players realise only ‘A’ game will do or ‘chance of being embarrassed at this level’ says Ibrox boss
If domestic pressures have proved too heavy a burden at times, in European action R angers have tended to find away to meet expectations and even surpass them under Steven Gerrard.
In the same way that their manager’s medal collection is elevated to elite level by his exploits in Europe, his players have found it easier to showcase some of their best work on the continental stage where, according to their boss, fear has been a major motivator.
“I have to give credit to the players on this one. Every challenge we have faced under pressure in Europe, home or away, the players seem to bring a laser-focus to these games,” said the Ibrox boss, who will lead his players into the third round of this season’s Europa League qualifiers, against Dutch side Willem II.
“There is almost a touch of fear about them, in that they know what they have to give and bring to the table. Because with some of the teams we have faced, if you don’t bring that ‘A’ game there is a real chance of being embarrassed at this level.”
The opposition maybe different but his men are familiar with the task. The club suffered the ignominy of an unwelcome exit in the first qualifying round these ason before G err a rd arrived in Glasgow. Since then there has been a notable upturn in European performances and results under the Champions League hero. Building on their
progress to the groups tages in his first term, last sea - son’s competition saw them through to the last 16.
“I have to pay respect for the journey that the players have taken me on over the past couple of years ,” said G err a rd.
“One thing is for sure, when we create a game plan we have to dig into a lot of detail and find the strengths and weaknesses of the teams we come up against and there is not much time to do that.
“It’s different to the domes
tic challenges where we know a lot about the teams in our league. We have only known for a week or so that we have got Willem II, so it becomes a race against time to get as much detail as we can, about the manager, his style of play and so on. There is a collective thing you have to get right between the coaches and the players. But it is so exciting and that’s why we are in Europe.”
The background checks have informed the game plan but will also have buoyed the mood of a team who were leapfrogged at the top of the Scottish Premiership at the weekend and saw their defence breached for the first time this season as Hibernian held them to a draw at Easter Road.
In Tilburg tonight, though, their hopes of making it through to the play-off round against Galatasaray or Hadjuk Split have been bolstered by the Eredivisie club’s injury crisis as five of their first-team regulars miss out. But Gerrard has too much respect for Dutch football to consider victory a formality.
“Holland is a hotbed for talent, full of real, good technical players who are capable of playing at a level,” said the Rangers manager.
“I have always had respect for this league. I came over as a player and played against the best Dutch teams. I really respect the level here and myself and Gary[Mc al lister, his assistant] can certainly tap into our experience.
“The players sampled it last season against Fey enoo rd, home and away. They were two hard-fought games and the players were left knowing you have to empt y the tank for sure when you face these teams. Willem I I punched about their weight in terms of their budget[ last term] and they had a fantastic season and have a good manager. They have recruited really well and have some really dangerous players. So, we are under no illusions.
“It’s a tough game, a tough challenge. But I believe if the players can give me what they normally do in these situations, I have confidence we can get the job done.”
And that’s without the backing of their fans due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions.
“I feel for the players and for the supporters. These nights should be the highlights of your career, nights you tell your kids and grand kids about – when you went to Holland and Portugal and other countries and played in front of thousands of Rangers fans.
“Unfortunately that has been taken away from us at the moment, but we understand the situation we are in.”