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Rangers news: Steven Gerrard confident for Europa League clash after Bury thrashing
STEVEN GERRARD insists Rangers are ready for their Europa League adventure.
The Gers boss, who confirmed James Tavernier will continue to wear the captain’s armband under his management, marked his dugout debut with a 6-0 thrashing of Bury in a pre-season friendly at Ibrox.
Six of Gerrard’s summer recruits started against the English League Two outfit with Scott Arfield scoring a double and Nikola Katic and Jamie Murphy both on the scoresheet along with Alfredo Morelos and Zak Rudden.
Rangers face Macedonian outfit Shkupi in the first leg of their Europa League first round qualifier on Thursday.
Gerrard said: “We are ready for the challenge. The expectation and pressure is going to be completely different from tonight.
I’m confident that come kick-off the players will be ready to go.
“There were 40,000 here, so there was a slight bit of pressure, especially for the new players getting judged for the first time.
“After what happened last year, then of course we know there is going to be a lot more pressure and eyes on us next Thursday.
“But I’m confident that come kick-off the players will be ready to go.”
Gerrard is confident of adding more signings, with Roma striker Umar Sadiq closing in on a loan switch.
“It’s difficult to say whether it will be done before the first leg but we will be doing more business,” said Gerrard.
“Sadiq is still a Roma player, but it’s been well documented I’m a fan of the player. It’s just a case of ‘watch this space’.”
Allan McGregor started in goal against Bury with youngster Robby McCrorie coming on in the second half, but Gerrard insists he hasn’t made a decision on who his No 1 will be with Wes Foderingham and Jak Alnwick also in the frame.
Gerrard said: “Somewhere down the line one of them isn’t going to be happy. There’s nothing I can do about that.
"At some point, one of them won’t be around because three top goalies don’t go into one position.”