Simply the best as Gerrard salutes vintage display

STEVEN Gerrard last night described Rangers’ stunning win over Galatasaray in the Europa League play- off at Ibrox as one of the best of his time as manager.

However, he immediately challenged his players to build on the performance and achievement in the group stages - and still be involved come next May.

Second- half goals from Scott Arfield and captain James Tavernier ensured the Glasgow club ran out 2- 1 winners over their Turkish rivals.

Gerrard led Rangers through to the last 16 of the competition in the 2019/ 20 campaign and is clearly hopeful they can go even further this season.

“It’s up there with the best nights we’ve had,” he said. We have had a lot of fantastic experiences in the two- andabit years from a European point of view.

“The players deserve a lot of credit for their performances. To a man across the board, they were outstanding. We beat a good team today, an experienced team with fantastic players and a manager. So I am very pleased for them and they deserve it.

“But I have just said to them there that at this club we need to make sure we continue to work game by game and be in around the good nights come May.”

Tavernier scored his seventh goal in as many games when he got on the end of a Borna Barisic cross in the second- half.

Gerrard felt that his right back and captain led by example during the 90 minutes and ensured an important victory for them.

“He’s the captain of team and a fantastic attacking fullback,” he said. “I think he showed real leadership and real quality tonight. He led the team to a fantastic result that can’t be played down in the current climate financially, it’s very important.

“Scott backed up the praise I gave him. He has been ever so consistent since he came back into the team and the biggest compliment I paid him tonight was that I didn’t change the midfield because the three of them deserved to stay in there.

“Those are the type of performances I need consistently from my midfielders from now on.”

Meanwhile, Gerrard is confident Ryan Jack can play for Scotland in their Euro 2020 play- off against Israel next week – if national boss Steve Clarke manages him carefully.

The midfielder returned from a three week lay- off with a calf injury when he came on for Ianis Hagi in the second half last night.

Jack was named in Clarke’s squad on Tuesday even though he hadn’t played since the Dundee United game last month and his involvement raised hopes he will be able to represent his country at Hampden next Thursday night.

“It was great to have him back,” Gerrard said. “He came on and worked his socks off. He put in a disciplined cameo for us. It was the sensible decision because he has only trained once or twice.

“Look, myself and Steve Clarke both know Ryan Jack, we both know his body, we know he needs support, we know he needs managing. But Jacko and Steve Clarke will decide when and how, if he represents Scotland.

“We are pleased when our players get called up, we are proud to see them going to represent their country. But the fact is that Jacko needs support and he needs to manage his body because he is capable of getting an injury if he’s not supported or looked after.

“But I’m sure everyone will use common sense with him moving forward.”