Kamara ready for new terms as Gerrard eyes a Europa League flyer

Steven Gerrard has urged Rangers to speed up their efforts to extend Glen Kamara’s contract after his impressive Old Firm display.

The bargain £ 50,000 buy from Dundee has a deal running to 2023 but Gerrard wants to tie the Finland international down for longer after seeing him run the show during the 2- 0 derby triumph at Celtic Park on Saturday.

Gerrard insisted earlier this month Kamara would not be sold despite interest from Anderlecht, saying he would be given a new deal when the “time is right”.

And Gerrard believes that moment has now come.

Asked if Rangers planned to rush through the signing talks to stave off interest in the 24-yearold, Gerrard said: “I don’t know is the answer to your question. If it was my decision the answer would be yes.

“I’ve made my feelings known to Ross ( Wilson, sporting director) and the board on that situation.

“Glen has been fantastic for me since day one. He’s grown and he’s evolved. He’s improved and he’s listened. There were different areas of his game that we felt we could shape and help him become a better player.

“But he is the one who has really gone out and worked on his game both in and out of possession. He’s in a fantastic place an displaying with confidence.”

Rangers will look to use the soaring confidence produced by their Park head victory to springboard them back to the Europa League knockout rounds after their run to the last 16 last term.

They kick off their third consecutive group-stage campaign versus Standard Liege in Belgium tonight against a side who have lost only one of their last 16 European games at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne.

But Gerrard is confident having watched his team again prove adept at shutting down the threat of opponents by preventing a blunted Hoops line-up from registering a single shot on target at the weekend.

And he reckons that tactical know- how will ensure they handle P hi lippe Mon ta ni er’ s men with care.

He said: “Liege are a good team with a good coach. They have a real aggressive way with how they press and a strong pedigree in Europe with a strong home record.”

Like Celtic on Saturday, Liege have had Covid-19 troubles after seeing three players contract the virus in the build- up to the game.

Gerrard has sympathy but insists his team are not here to nurse Standard back to health.

He said: “We are coming up against a very good team, a big squad full of talented players. So I’m sure they will cope.

“It’s not ideal from their point of view, but we are here to do a job.”

Glen Kamara has impressed in recent weeks.