READY FOR EU

Gylfi’s a believer

GYLFI SIGURDSSON insists Everton will be better prepared to compete in the Europa League than the last time they qualified.

Carlo Ancelotti’s stars are aiming for a European place this season to cement progress made under the Italian boss.

They have not been in the Europa League since a disastrous group stage campaign as Ronald Koeman’s reign at Goodison Park fell apart in 2017.

The Toffees finished third in their group winning just one of their six games with caretaker boss David Unsworth overseeing the biggest humiliation – a 5-1 home defeat by Atalanta.

And as they prepare to meet Southampton on Merseyside tomorrow, Icelandic star Sigurdsson – who played in that doomed campaign after his £45million switch from Swansea – is confident they’d fare better under

Ancelotti’s guidance if they qualify. “That’s still a long way away and there are a lot of games still to play,” said Sigurdsson.

“Hopefully if we are there the club will be better prepared for it than a couple of years ago but it’s still a guessing game if we make it into Europe.

“The squad is stronger and the team is better now with a manager who has experienced a lot in this game so I’d like to think we’d do well if we are in it next season but only time will tell.”

Ancelotti’s influence on the Blues has raised the bar in terms of expectation.

And Sigurdsson, fresh from scoring the late penalty against Liverpool which sealed Everton’s first Anfield win in 22 years, believes the Italian’s mentality is rubbing off.

He added: “It’s easy to trust a boss who has pretty much won every trophy there is to win

in football.”

CLASH: Gylfi and Gini Wijnaldum