Goodnight Vienna but Gerrard in vow to hit right back
RAPID VIENNA.. 1 RANGERS .......... 0
STEVEN GERRARD vowed to lead Rangers back into Europe as a stronger force next season after their hope of continental football beyond Christmas was ended by defeat in Vienna. The Ibrox side needed victory to claim a place in the Europa League last 32 and were the superior side for much of a tense encounter in the Allianz Stadion, hitting the bar through Connor Goldson. But Gerrard — who confirmed he will hold talks with ‘unsettled’ Liverpool loanee Ovie Ejaria about his future at the club — saw his men caught by an 84th-minute sucker punch. Rapid substitute Dejan Ljubicic slotted past Allan McGregor to ensure the Austrians progressed from Group G alongside Villarreal. The Ibrox manager expressed pride in how his players performed over the whole of a 14-game continental campaign and reflected on key moments in the double-header against Spartak Moscow. And, with moves likely to strengthen the squad in January, he is determined to ensure Rangers now hit domestic form — starting in Sunday’s meeting with Hamilton at Ibrox. ‘I think once we analyse the whole journey, we will certainly take ourselves back to Moscow at home, 0-0, a couple of chances we missed,’ said Gerrard. ‘We’ll take ourselves back to
Moscow away when we scored a perfectly good goal (disallowed). We will also analyse our individual mistakes within it. ‘We could have put ourselves in a better position tonight. But it wasn’t to be. I think if you analyse the whole journey the players have done fantastically well but the reality is that, at this level, we fell a bit short. ‘It’s my job to try and address that. But what I will say is we will come again — definitely. It’s important now that we get back to winning ways domestically and we focus domestically now to put ourselves in a position to come back again. ‘Tonight, I thought we were good for 80 minutes. I can’t really ask the players to give any more from what we had available tonight. We gave an almighty effort. ‘Obviously as the game was getting to the final stages we were trying to roll the dice and be more adventurous to try and create something, create that moment we needed at 0-0. Unfortunately we’ve conceded a counterattack but it’s very hard for me to criticise the players for what they gave.’ Rangers have been hampered by suspensions at times, with Daniel Candeias missing in Vienna after his controversial dismissal against Villarreal. ‘We have certainly been tested,’ added Gerrard. ‘As a group, we haven’t helped ourselves with certain situations and suspensions. ‘Injuries have also bit at important times, like with (Ryan) Kent at the weekend. ‘To not have Kent and Candeias available affects the group. So, yeah, we haven’t helped ourselves throughout the campaign. ‘In terms of numbers, I think we have had enough to cope. ‘But to compete at this level, with ambitions to go further than the group, it’s obvious to me that the players need some help. That means obviously quality players that can come in and help. ‘The idea now is to park the Europa League and really focus on the league. I think we have had a tough week (losing to Aberdeen and drawing with Dundee) and I think the support we’ve had during that tough week has been really good. ‘I think we owe the fans a reaction on Sunday.’ Ejaria did not travel to Austria and could have played his last game for Rangers amid suggestions he has become disillusioned with life in Scotland. Asked if the 21-year-old midfielder would return to Liverpool, Gerrard said: ‘I think it’s something I need to discuss with Ovie in the coming days. I had a chat with him a few days ago. He is slightly unsettled. ‘Liverpool are aware of the situation and we are in dialogue with them. ‘But the next time I speak to Ovie will be Friday, so we’ll have a conversation then and see where we go.’ Gerrard also confirmed Roma striker Umar Sadiq has now left Rangers after a disastrous loan spell.