Gerrard’s old foe doesn’t expect any Slavia backlash

Sparta Prague sports director, Tomas Rosicky, insists he can’t wait to lock horns with Steven Gerrard again in the Europa League.

Rangers were drawn against the Czech Republic outfit in Friday’s Group Stage draw, along with Lyon and Brondby.

Former Arsenal playmaker Rosicky spent 10 years with the Gunners, and is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Liverpool icon, now Ibrox boss, Gerrard.

He said: “The game in Glasgow will be in front of a full stadium, so that will be a brilliant test for our players. Everyone at the club is looking forward to it.

“I played against Steven Gerrard many times. He was as an excellent midfielder, tough and he didn’t give you an inch for free.

“He always wanted to win. He did absolutely everything he could to that end, and sometimes stepped over the line.

“But it was always about the spirit of fair play when the game had ended, and he always came and shook hands.”

Rosicky doesn’t believe Rangers’ powder-keg meeting with their city rivals, Slavia Prague, last season – which saw defender Ondrej Kudela handed a 10-match ban for racist abuse – will have any impact on the upcoming clashes.

“I believe it will be fine for us in Glasgow,” he said. “We are here for football, not to justify things that are wrong.”