'Progress from group more important than record', says Gerrard

BeSoccer 5 years ago 125
Gerrard has insisted that his team must focus in order to qualify through their Europ League group.

The 'Gers' record breaking 11 game unbeaten run in European competition is 'a bonus', according to boss Steven Gerrard, who has insisted that the team's main priority remains attaining progress from their Europa League group.

Steven Gerrard's Rangers broke the club's 1993 Champions League unbeaten run with their 0-0 draw at home to Spartak Moscow.

However as his side is still level on points with Villareal at the top of Group G; Gerrard has insisted that his side need to maintain focus on qualifying for the next stage of the competition. 

In an interview with 'BT Sport' after the Spartak Moscow clash, Gerrard spoke of the record, saying: ""I am told it is a record, but the important thing is that we get out of this group. I'm a little bit frustrated not to take the three points, but we played well for the majority of the game."

Rangers were the superior side in the tie with the Russian side, but failed to convert their chances into a victory, and an all important three points. And so Spanish outfit Villareal were able to draw level with the Glasgow side at the top of Group G; both have five points after three matches played.

However in spite of feeling that his side should have taken the victory that their performance deserved, manager Gerrard expressed satisfaction at his side's progress in the competition so far. 

Gerrard told 'BT Sport':"I would definitely have signed for that at the start. Indeed, I would have signed up to taking it into the final game. It was always going to be a 1-0 game because both sides defended very well but we lacked that little bit of quality in the final third that you need in these big games."

He continued: "It will be seen as two points dropped, but this could be a valuable point and it goes to show how far we've come, because we're disappointed not to have won against a Champions League team."

Mentioned in the news story

Rangers FC
Spartak Moskva
Europa League