Steven Gerrard: Rangers boss says he 'expects too much, too soon'
Last updated on .From the section Rangers
Manager Steven Gerrard says he maybe "expects too much, too soon" from his Rangers side as they stand on the brink of the Europa League group stage.
The Ibrox club's 1-0 win over Russian side FC Ufa in Glasgow puts them in the driving seat to clinch continental competition until at least Christmas.
But despite Gerrard's team now being undefeated in his opening 10 games in charge, he still wants more.
"I was disappointed in our first-half showing," he told RangersTV.
"I just felt that we were a gear down today, a little bit flat. But maybe I'm expecting too much, too soon because the players have spoilt me."
- Report & analysis: Rangers 1-0 FC Ufa
- Steven Gerrard: Lee Wallace's return is a 'big positive'
- Podcast: 'I've no fears for Rangers'
The victory over European debutants Ufa was Rangers' sixth of the season and fifth in European competition.
It is a trend Gerrard is confident can continue in the second leg next Thursday, but the Rangers manager says his team will still go out to clinch a vital away goal.
"I've got belief and confidence in my players that we can go and finish the job off," he added. "We need a performance full of heroes and warriors next week.
"We'll do whatever it takes to try and get over the line, whether that's another clean sheet or having people on the pitch who are capable of getting that away goal.
"I believe if we get another goal it'll be a big task for them."
Comments
Join the conversation
Watched Man city play last weekend and you could hear a pin drop in that huge stadium.
Rather a pub league than a marketing tool for billionaire oligarchs that's full of tourists and plastics.
19 minutes ago
Noticed yesterday that SG said he is chasing The Rangers 55th SPL league title.
Can someone explain how that's possible, The Rangers have only been running for seven yrs and they haven't won any titles?
I'm a Celtic fan , but mate, that ones getting a bit old now. Use your brain and come up with something new.
What a pointless, negative, juvenile comment.
Everyone has to start somewhere, and every team needs a manager, whether they are a local under 9's side or Real Madrid. Football means something to everyone, no matter what the level - players, managers, fans and communities. Scottish football is no different.
Great to see an ex-player getting some success. Hope it continues.
Beat Celtic at Parkhead and all things are possible.
Well done
I also do not think that the Prem has more quality football related to the difference in TV money between the two leagues.
Gerrard has started well and I agree it looks like Celtic have gone backwards a little bit, or at least not improved.
The Old Firm game will be very interesting indeed!
Celtic haven’t played a decent team yet but have lost twice. Think that’s 3 away games in a row they have not won one of them.
Why not? Is it because at least one of them doesn’t want to play for Celtic?
Possibly, but for the first time in years Rangers “weak” defence is not as weak as Celtic’s.
Agree. Think that is the point. A lot of "fans" nowadays equate supporting a club to only success. Why support a team that is not winning everything?
Real fans go to support their team for more reasons than that. They support them for the community. They make noise because they actually care.
There are many big clubs that have zero atmosphere. Know who I would rather watch...
Also Kinchy: "Here are some sweeping generalisations about fans I don't really know anything about."
I'm a Rangers fan and have never hated Celtic fans. My fiancee is a Celtic fan and have watched Celtic games with her family. Often appears that most of the biterness in SF exists outside the OF.
"Rangers will be demolished when they meet a decent side in Europe, but should comfortably finish 2nd in the SPL."
We already have in the shape of Maribor, and managed to defeat them - so stop talking nonsense. We should finish 2nd comfortably, but hopefully with a good title challenge as well.