Boss has plenty to cheer about despite Three Lions loss

STEVEN GERRARD sat alone in a quiet hotel room as he watched England crash out of the World Cup against Croatia on Wednesday night.

But 24 hours later he had a few friends – just the 50,000 – at his new home for his competitive bow as Rangers manager.

It was quite a contrast but it took until the final minute before he could really relax and enjoy the house party as James Tavernier converted from the spot to give Rangers a two-goal cushion against Macedonian minnows Shkupi.

Until then it had been a frustrating night at times. Former England captain Gerrard at least got the victory he wanted – but it wasn’t quite by the margin that makes this Europa League tie a formality or for a comfortable return in scorching Skopje on Tuesday.

After rattling in six goals against Bury, expectations were high but this showed pre-season friendlies and European qualifiers, however modest the opposition, are quite different.

It’s only the first proper game of Gerrard’s tenure and he’ll need to see an improvement with much stiffer challenges ahead at home and abroad.

There have been plenty of changes but some problems from last season are still apparent – including Alfredo Morelos lacking that clinical touch in front of goal.

Having being in charge of just 44 games as a manager – 43 as Liverpool youth boss and last week’s friendly against Bury – this was Gerrard’s competitive bow as a senior boss.

It was a whole new ball game with Ibrox packed to the rafters for the start of what fans hope will be a bright new dawn.

After 41,000 turned out for the Bury win, Gerrard wanted his players to keep the feelgood factor rolling and feed off the frenzy since his appointment.

His arrival has created a buzz not seen around the Govan ground in years and Rangers-Liverpool scarves emblazoned with Gerrard’s face were on display approaching the stadium.

It was also a historic night for Shkupi in the six-year-old club’s first European tie – but the Macedonians didn’t bring any fans.

Gerrard’s players can get used to that type of support with domestic rivals restricted to around just 900 briefs after record season-ticket sales.

With the Light Blue legions firmly onside, the new Gers boss warned his players not to let them down.

That is what happened at the same stage of this competition last season when Pedro Caixinha’s flops were embarrassed by Progres Niederkorn, setting the tone for a miserable campaign. Only three players – Tavernier, Daniel Candeias and Morelos – who started the 1-0 home win against the Luxembourg minnows were in the 11 here.

Gerrard wouldn’t have been fazed by an atmosphere like this.

But he looked agitated as he stood at the edge of his technical area, hands in and out of his pockets as he tried to instruct his team.

The Ibrox boss had told of his shock at the 2-0 Progres scoreline last year and vowed there would be no repeat with him in charge.

Such a statement on the eve of his big night added a little more pressure and, despite a dominant start, when Ron Broja’s effort shaved the top of the bar it was a reminder Shkupi weren’t going to roll over.

Even early on Gerrard had a quick glance at his subs who were warming up and probably had to stop himself doing anything rash.

Thankfully for him any tension was eased midway through the first half as Jamie Murphy’s opener lifted the roof off Ibrox.

That should have seen the floodgates open but it took until the final minute for new captain Tavernier to give Gers a bit more breathing space.

GAVIN BERRY AT IBROX