FC UFA boss Sergei Tomarov reckons Steven Gerrard has toughened up Rangers and made them hard to beat. Rangers have to overcome the Russian dark horses, who are in their first ever European campaign, to get into the Europa League group stages. Gerrard famously lifted the Champions League as Liverpool skipper in 2005PA:Press Association And Tomarov – who played for Ufa, managed their reserves and was an assistant manager there before making the step-up as boss in June – is under no illusions just how hard it will be for them tonight at Ibrox. He said: “It’s great that a legendary player like Steven Gerrard will be coming to Ufa. He made a huge contribution to world football. “It will be an incredible event for our fans. “But I can’t allow myself or the players to think like that. I have to separate myself from thinking of him in those terms. He’s the Rangers manager and therefore a rival. “He’s definitely made Rangers more organised and harder to beat. Tomarov says he has been impressed by Gers’ transformation under GerrardGetty - Contributor “If you look at Rangers last season, they conceded a lot of goals – they even played in a match that finished 5-5. “They scored a lot of goals and conceded a lot of goals. “Gerrard has made them harder to beat and very good in defence – they don’t concede many goals at all now. “They have good players and the ones he has signed have improved them hugely. “The Rangers side has completely changed.” Most Read Tug of war Hearts and Aberdeen set to fight for McAuley, who’s also been considered by Gers Hands off Aberdeen reject Celtic’s initial £3.5m bid for star defender Scott McKenna Killie eye Greg Kilmarnock in pole position to land Greg Stewart from Birmingham City NEW BRUM Celtic could move for Wolfsburg’s Jeffrey Bruma if bid to sign Scott McKenna fails WOLF OF WOL STREET Julian Wolhardt’s appointment to Rangers board sparks ‘takeover’ gaffe NEW BLUE Danish investor Julian Wolhardt becomes person 'with significant Rangers control’ And Tomarov won’t use their busy schedule as an excuse. He pointed out: “I won’t complain about the amount of matches we have because this is what we wanted. “We wanted Ufa to play in Europe and we did it. “We perfectly understood what the calendar would be like and we are ready for this. We’re glad because we are fighting on two fronts. “This will be an interesting tie against Rangers and we are hoping we can get a good result to take back to Russia where we will have a full stadium for the second leg.”
Source: Scottish Sun, News
Source: Scottish Sun, News
