STEVEN GERRARD insists all of his focus is now on Hamilton Academical as Rangers get ready to return to league action against Brian Rice’s team on Sunday.
After a 3-3 draw with Benfica in Portugal last night, the manager was keen to quickly move on from that Europa League result and performance so that his squad are prepared mentally and physically for another hugely important Premiership clash at Ibrox this weekend.
Having lost 1-0 to the Accies when they last travelled to the stadium on March 4, Gerrard – who has been named the Scottish Premiership Manager of the Month for October - is well aware of the threat the visitors will pose despite their current position at the bottom of the table.
He said: “We need to focus on what we need to do and it's far too early to be getting ahead of ourselves.
“We've got Hamilton at home and we're looking to get another three points and build on our good form.
"They got a result the last time at Ibrox and they deserved that result because we weren't clinical enough in front of goal.
“I think we had 30 attempts on goal and couldn’t find the breakthrough, so I think Brian and his team deserved the victory.
“He has them organised of course and he'll have men behind the ball, but one thing that goes without saying is Brian always comes and his team carries a threat.
“Sometimes he goes with two up top and we'll have to see whether he decides to do that again, but he's someone who all the coaching staff here have got big, big respect for because he always poses a challenge to us.”
Gerrard believes his own squad is stronger now than it was when the sides last went head-to head at Ibrox back in March, and the gaffer hopes his players can build on their impressive start to the 2020/21 campaign with 35 points taken from 13 games, 29 goals scored and just three conceded.
He continued: “I think at this level and when you play for a club like Rangers you have to learn from your mistakes fast. You have to analyse and look at yourself and look at the group.
“I feel we are in a better place and I think the squad is better. I think our mentality and attitude certainly this season has been bang on.
“But we have to continue it, we have to continue the consistency and try to stay at the level that we are at now and keep improving.
“Hamilton will come and pose a threat. They are capable and they have done it before, so we don’t need any reminders or wake-up calls going into this one.”
The manager also provided an injury update after the 90 minutes in Lisbon, adding: "At the moment there are no issues.
“We've got Scott Arfield who is carrying a bit of a knock but we are hoping he is going to be okay."
Rangers were today celebrating another awards double this morning with Gerrard and Goldson claiming the SPFL Manager and Player of the Month prizes for October It’s the second time this season already Gerrard has claimed the prize, while its the third month out of three a Ranger has won the players’ gong.
October was a fabulous month for Gers, winning their three Scottish Premiership matches and their three Europa League ties, conceding just one goal in the process.
Indeed, Goldson contributed massively at the other end too, with his double securing a superb 2-0 Old Firm victory at Parkhead.
Gers will be looking to continue their outstanding form when Hamilton visit Ibrox on Sunday.