Steven Gerrard Delighted With Performance

Written by:

RANGERS rounded off their Europa League group stage with victory over Lech Poznan tonight – with boss Steven Gerrard reflecting on ‘six outstanding performances.’

The Light Blues gaffer has overseen his side collect 14 points – the most Gers have ever claimed from any European section – while they have also topped a UEFA four-team group stage for the first time ever.

It’s a super achievement for Gerrard and his squad, who told RangersTV in Poznan tonight:

"The boys are really happy in the dressing room and they deserve to be. Over the course of the campaign, we have deserved to be number one in the group - it has been six outstanding performances.

"Arguably, we could have beaten Benfica away and at home, so we definitely deserve at least 14 points.

"I am really proud of the boys again tonight - a lot of individuals got an opportunity and stepped forward and performed ever-so well.

"As the manager of that group, I am immensely proud and now it is about recovery and getting ready for Dundee United."

Gerrard was able to make seven changes tonight and still watch an accomplished, comfortable performance from his side.

Among those to come in tonight were Bongani Zungu and Cedric Itten, the latter of whom grabbed the opening goal tonight with a super strike.

On their efforts, Gerrard continued: "I thought Zungu played with maturity and experience. I thought he was unfortunate to get booked, but on a yellow card, I thought he cruised it, if you like.

"I thought he was really aggressive out of possession, and he is going to be a big player for us from now until the end of the season.

"I am really pleased for him as it has taken time to get him ready and up to speed.

"I thought Cedric epitomised everything we did tonight as a team. I think people know now how I want my team to play out of possession and what they need to give.

"All you have to do is watch Cedric over the 90 minutes. He has run himself into the ground, he played for the team, he regained the ball, he has shown quality, he held it up and he scored a fantastic goal.

"For me, that deserves 'Man of the Match' so I am really proud of him from an individual point of view.

"He has given me a problem now going forward as tonight's performance basically said to me, 'I am here and I am ready'.

"So good for him."

19 year-old Academy graduate Nathan Patterson also won his first European start in place of James Tavernier, before being replaced by the skipper midway through the second half.

"I am really proud of his 65 minutes,” Gerrard smiled when discussing Patterson. “I thought he was really good and it took him five minutes to settle into the game, which was normal and you could see his adrenaline was coming out of his body too much at times, but I thought he showed quality at times.

"He showed that he knows the system in and out of possession, he is learning, the experience and confidence this will give him will be really, really big and I think what he showed tonight is that if you are an Academy player, if you're good enough, you'll get opportunities at the top level, and he certainly took his tonight, so good for him."

It's on to league action for Gers on Sunday with a first trip to Tannadice to face Dundee United in almost eight years.

On that, the manager added: "It's a big test and a tough challenge. We need to try and keep this run going - I left a few at home tonight to look after them and we managed to rest a few within the game tonight.

"So all-in-all, it has been a top night for us and now it is about recovery and getting ready to go again come the whistle on Sunday as it is another big fixture."