STEVEN GERRARD has warned his players he won’t tolerate excuses should Rangers suffer another embarrassing early Euro exit. But the Gers gaffer is supremely confident there will be no repeat of last year’s shameful scenes when the Ibrox side were humiliated by Progres Niederkorn. Gerrard won’t tolerate any excuses if Gers go outWillie Vass Gerrard’s men are protecting a two-goal lead against FK Shkupi in Skopje. The Rangers boss insisted: “The pitch, the heat, the humidity — all of those are excuses that players can find easily. But they are not the type of players that I want here or around a club the size of this. “It is a leveller, it is the same for both teams. It is going to be hot for both teams and the pitch is going to be the same. “I’m experienced enough to know that if the pitch is bad then it’s bad for them as well. We have to face it because there is nothing we can do about it. Rangers players training at stadium ahead of Euro clashWillie Vass “We can only worry about what we can control. All I can control is that the players are not complacent and don’t think this is going to be an easy game. “It is not even such a big advantage for them. They don’t play here week in, week out because it is the national stadium, which will help us as well. “The players have got a feel of them individually and collectively and know what they are about. “They have been made well aware of the pitfalls and the banana skins. Scott Arfield misses gameWillie Vass “If they think they can bowl in here and be complacent and play at 80 per cent, it is not going to be the case. “We need to make sure we carry out our game plan to our maximum and we are confident we will get the right result.” Gerrard believes an early away goal would shatter Shkupi’s hopes of an upset and be enough to secure Gers’ place in the Europa League second qualifying round. The Ibrox manager, who is without new signing Scott Arfield after he picked up a knock in the first leg, said: “One goal would kill it, if we defend properly. “We are not here with any kind of swagger or over-confidence. “It is a Europa League game, so I think it is important that you show whoever you are playing the respect they deserve. Rangers take a two goal lead into game thanks to Tavernier’s last gasp penaltyWillie Vass related stories GERS DETERMINED Gerrard refuses to give up on Cooper deal with THIRD bid expected this week DONE DEAL Rangers flop Eduardo Herrera joins Santos Laguna on loan ‘THE RIGHT MOVE’ Gers hero DJ urges Celtic starlet Mikey Johnston to join St Mirren on loan TITLE PARTY Rangers can win league title this season, says Arsenal starlet Charlie Gilmour CITY BREAK Rangers flop Aaron Nemane 'is on trial’ at English League One side Bradford City STAY AT HOME Scott Arfield 'has not travelled’ with Rangers squad ahead of Shkupi clash “I think if you analyse the first leg, it is quite clear that we were the dominant team and we should have had it wrapped up. “Now we come here and we say to the players ‘You have left yourselves with work to do’ and they have to go about their work properly if they are going to get a result.” Meanwhile, Rangers remain locked in talks over a proposed move for Millwall defender Jake Cooper. The Lions have rejected a second bid from Ibrox for the centre-half. But SunSport understands Gerrard, who has already added Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic to his backline, hasn’t given up hope of landing the 23-year-old. A third offer is expected to be tabled before the end of the week. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news, transfers and goals from Scottish football plus fixtures, results and live match commentary
Source: Scottish Sun, News
Source: Scottish Sun, News
