Rangers manager Steven Gerrard hopes his players have “learned” from the individual mistakes that were made in the 2-1 defeat to Young Boys in their last Europa League match.
The Ibrox manager was speaking ahead of Rangers’ trip to Portugal and their tie with Porto in what is becoming one of the most competitive groups in the competition.
Each team is neatly poised on three points after two games and this fixture could prove to be a hugely important one in the battle for a place in the last 32.
“Game management is very important at the top level and we must focus from start to finish. If anyone loses focus at this level then top players will punish you,” said Gerrard [Daily Record].
“The players have hopefully learned from Young Boys because the challenge is difficult enough without adding individual mistakes.
“To be fair to the players, at every challenge put in front of them they have done ever so well considering the time we have been together.
“No-one gave us a chance last season in Villarreal, for example, and it is that type of performance we’re going to need tomorrow. We hope that galvanises us and we come away with the right result.”
Gerrard remains very optimistic that if the Ibrox side can cut out the silly errors and “max out” their performance then they can get something in Portugal.
The comments seem to be a reminder that everyone needs to take responsibility for their performance tomorrow night, including captain James Tavernier.
The Gers leader was at fault for both of Young Boys goals in the last match and is under fire for another high-profile mistake against Hearts, so Gerrard’s comments could act as an indirect warning to his captain.
The Ibrox captain needs a big performance with more scrutiny that ever over his role at Ibrox following the mistakes.