Steven Gerrard has warned his Rangers team that Spartak Moscow pose a real threat at Ibrox. The Rangers Manager was talking to the press before the match and reiterated the strength of the opposition Rangers are facing.
More than that, it was a warning to fans. This is going to be a hard fought battle.
It’ll be no mean feat to take three points off this side, and Gerrard know it. Even if Spartak Moscow currently sit without a manager after sacking Massimo Carrera midweek.
“We know there will be a reaction,” said Steven Gerrard.
“Spartak have been inconsistent this season. It’s very difficult to predict what will happen when a manager leaves.
“It’s slightly different as the manager tomorrow was in the set-up beforehand. We have to be ready and show our quality.”
“We know we are facing a really strong team, but we are going into the game with confidence and belief,”
Fans have a role to play tomorrow
More than recreate the Europa League performance against Rapid, Gerrard wants the fans to emulate the atmosphere of that match.
Ibrox was raucous.
Of course, the fans will respond to the players, but Spartak also have experience playing in similar arenas. Gerrard clearly sees it as a very different challenge to the one posed by Rapid Vienna.
“If we emulate the performance and atmosphere of the Rapid match, we will be very difficult to beat,” he said. “I think Spartak come with more experience than Rapid – they play in hostile arenas and they have individuals who are very capable of hurting us.
Rangers currently sit top of Group G on four points whilst Russian outfit Spartak sit bottom with one. They need a win at Ibrox tonight to kickstart their European campaign.
If you’re not lucky enough to have a ticket, the match kicks off at 8pm and is live on BT Sport.
