Tournament a lot tougher, says Gerrard

STEVEN GERRARD insists the Europa League is a stronger competition than ever — but admits he will be disappointed if Rangers don’t reach the knockout stage for a second successive year. The Ibrox club were drawn in Group D yesterday alongside Benfica, Standard Liege and Lech Poznan following Thursday night’s thrilling play-off win over Galatasaray. While that has provided an opportunity to earn up to

£10million in additional income, Gerrard was cautious about plans for the remaining three days of the transfer window.

The Rangers boss is hopeful of making one further addition to strengthen midfield options, but dismissed suggestions that Everton’s Mo Besic had been lined up for a medical.

While he waits to see how his squad will looks come Monday’s transfer deadline, Gerrard feels the experience already at his disposal can help his attempt to follow up last season’s impressive run to the last 16.

‘I think the challenge is to try and get out of the group, of course it is,’ said Gerrard. ‘No one will be shouting from the rooftops because we have to respect the opposition that are in the group. They are good teams in their own right, they have good players.

‘But we will take each game as it comes, give it everything we have and try to do our best to finish as high as we can.

‘I would be disappointed if we don’t get out of the group because the players have shown over the last couple of years that we have got a level in Europe, that we are a tough nut to crack and we have shown amazing quality going forward.

‘We will be a good contest for anyone in the group, home or away, and I am really looking forward to the challenge.

‘I think the Europa League, as a whole, seems to be getting stronger each year. Teams are getting better and improving.

‘I was really impressed with some of the names in the draw. It’s nice for us that we get to play Benfica and Lech Poznan for the first time.’

Rangers will collect around £2.5m for making the groups, with further prize money and television income up for grabs. Preston’s Daniel Johnson and Bongani Zungu of Amiens have both been on the radar in terms of midfield reinforcements. It’s understood Rangers are aware of Besic’s loan availability but have not made contact with Everton. Asked if the European cash could offer more leeway, Gerrard said: ‘It’s a difficult question to answer, probably better suited to other people above me at this football club.

‘The board, myself and Ross (Wilson, sporting director) are still trying to add the person in the position we feel we need before the window shuts.

‘But we’ll have to see how the next three days pan out in terms of ins and outs. It’s difficult to control because you never know what’s going to land on your desk and whether you are able to get someone over the line when you are trying to make it happen.

‘I’m not going to be mentioning any names here. Someone has just asked me if Mo Besic is up in Glasgow having a medical with Rangers. That would be news to me if he was.

‘Nothing has changed in terms of what we’re trying to do in the last few days of the window.

‘There certainly won’t be additions. I think, if we do well, there might be an addition.’