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Gerrard says Rangers have been boosted with Roofe and Itten even though they can’t face Germans
STEVEN GERRARD used the stage in Leverkusen to declare his delight at being the new buyer boss.
Strikers Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten are not be around to help shoot down the local club in the Europa League tonight.
But it didn’t stop their new boss expressing his joy at pulling off an £8.5million transfer coup he reckons gives him the strength in depth he craves up front.
Alfredo Morelos posted an image on Instagram yesterday that suggested he still considers himself the No.1 marksman in the Ibrox squad.
For how much longer remains to be seen as Lille, Sevilla and West Brom declare serious interest in a deal that could net the Light Blues up to £20m.
Morelos, already a huge fan favourite, would write himself another chapter in Rangers folklore if he helped his club pull off a remarkable victory in the Bay Arena to seal their passage into the quarter-finals.
Even Gerrard admitted it’s a tall order to recover from a 3-1 first leg defeat at Ibrox in March.
But he was in no mood to feel downhearted as he said: “I’m extremely happy with the two players we’ve brought in. I made it well known we were quite vulnerable with the options we had prior to getting them through the door.
“But now we’ve got a lot of options in the forward areas, we’ve got more firepower.
“I’m really excited and looking forward to working with the two new boys. I’m sure they’ll bring a lot and add a lot to us as a squad.
“They have different profiles and they’re different sizes in terms of what you see on the eye.
“Roofe is very sharp and full of energy. He likes to press and is very selfless for the team. He has incredible quality around the box and is very capable of scoring goals in numbers. Certainly, our fans will have seen more of Roofe as he played at Leeds before he moved to Anderlecht.
“But Cedric comes with huge potential. He’s a little younger but really strong in numbers in terms of goals to games in his careers so far.
“He’s six feet two and a half and a really strong runner. Kemar and Cedric will give us different options but they can also play together in our system.
“I’m excited to work with them both. They’re both hungry, looking forward to getting started and they understand where the club is at and what we’re trying to achieve here. It’s positive news for Rangers and I’m delighted to get the deals done. “The board have given good backing but that has always been the case since day one. We’re on the same page. The main thing is trying to improve us as an 11 and as a squad and signing this calibre of player certainly helps us get closer to it.”
The second-leg tie will be played behind closed doors and it’s Leverkusen’s first match since they lost the German Cup Final 4-2 to Bayern Munich on July 4.
Fitness worries aside, they proved they were a cut above five months ago when they swept Rangers aside with a comprehensive victory.
Gerrard added: “Obviously, the situation is unique, having to wait so long to play the second leg.
“I was disappointed with the outcome from the first match so we have a bit of a mountain to climb but we’re over here to give it our best shot.” To add to the challenge, Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz has revealed the first name on his team sheet will be Kai Havertz. The German winger is on the brink of a £70m move to Chelsea but Bosz has no fears over his commitment to the Europa League. Havertz scored the opener from the spot at Ibrox and Bosz is adamant the 21-year-old will not have Stamford Bridge on his mind as he mulls over another bunch of Blues.
Bosz said: “Yes, he will play and yes, I’m convinced he’s 100 per cent still fighting for Leverkusen.”
Havertz may be available but Dutchman Bosz has been hit with a selection dilemma ahead of the closed-doors clash.
Paulinho will miss out after rupturing his cruciate ligament and Dutch winger Karim Bellarabi is struggling with a muscle problem.
Midfielder Nadiem Amiri is also out of the game, having been placed in quarantine after coming into contact with a close friend who has since tested positive for coronavirus.
To make matters worse, midfielder Kerem Demirbay and right-back Mitchell Weiser are suspended.
Bosz will put his trust in playmaker Charles Aranguiz and left-back Wendell, despite both being just one more booking away from missing a potential quarter-final clash against Inter Milan or Getafe.
Bosz, whose side must win the competition if they want to claim a Champions League spot, said: “We can only win the tournament if we win against Rangers.
“It doesn’t make any sense to dream ahead to the upcoming matches. I’ve tried to convey this to the players that they see it that way.
“We want to progress. If I need players tomorrow who may be at risk of being suspended, they will still play. Our focus is only on progressing.
“I don’t think it’s a formality. Of course winning at Ibrox 3-1 was a great result but Rangers have kept clean sheets throughout all their pre-season friendlies. It won’t be an easy match at all.”