Steven Gerrard’s comments today have provided Rangers with a rallying cry ahead of tomorrow night.
Rangers host Villarreal in their most important group stage match yet. It’s arguably the club’s most vital game at Ibrox for a decade, with a win almost putting them into the last 32. You can read more about what different scenarios could face Rangers for qualification here.
Three points aren’t a must, but they would certainly put Rangers in a much healthier position. A defeat, however, and Rangers allow Villarreal to qualify for the last 32 ahead of match-day six.
So much rides on the contest at Ibrox, with fans feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement heading into it.
Manager Gerrard, however, claims he knows fine well what’s going to happen when his side cross the white line tomorrow night.
“Everyone knows quite obviously we can’t afford to lose this game. But we’ll go in with a plan, with belief and confidence that we can win the game.
“If we bring our A game and max out, I think we’re certainly capable.
“But come the final whistle it’s crucial we don’t lose. The draw takes it to the last game, to the wire – but we’re going to win it.”
A sign of the good work done
This kind of confidence from the Rangers manager is just a symbol of the sensational work done at Ibrox this season.
Rangers have made their mark in Europe once more this term. Their 11-game unbeaten run combined with their current unbeaten run at Ibrox has them buzzing ahead of tomorrow night. It’s no wonder Gerrard comes across as so confident.
Combined with the fact that Villarreal only just ended an eight-game winless run with just their third win of the season, why shouldn’t Gerrard and his men be vibrant heading into tomorrow night?
Both Ryan Kent and Borna Barisic are still missing. Gerrard confirmed that both will be back soon, with Kent already back in training. Outside of that, however, there are no real blows to what Rangers’ first-team would’ve been.
Lee Wallace, Graham Dorrans, and Jamie Murphy are all still sidelined respectively.
Gerrard is delighted with what he’s got, and he’s clearly as confident as he’s ever been at Ibrox. Let’s see whether it’s well-placed tomorrow night.
