MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 16:27:24| >> :120:30467:30467:
[monks data]
Leverkusen logo
Europa League | Round of 16
Aug 6, 2020 at 5.55pm UK
BayArena
Rangers logo

B. Leverkusen
1 - 0
Rangers

Diaby (51')
Aranguiz (14'), Sinkgraven (45+2'), Tah (90')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Barker (53'), Hagi (67')

Steven Gerrard: 'We are still alive in Europa League'

Steven Gerrard: 'We are still alive in Europa League'
© Reuters
Gers trail Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 heading into Thursday's last-16 second leg in Germany.

Steven Gerrard has vowed Rangers will battle to the end as they look to salvage their Europa League campaign in Germany on Thursday.

The Ibrox men kicked off the new Scottish Premiership season with victory over Aberdeen on Saturday, but they still have last season's European campaign to complete after emerging from lockdown.

They head to the BayArena trailing Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 from March's last-16 first leg – but Gerrard still retains hope that Gers can progress to the quarter-finals.

Rangers will need to overturn a 3-1 deficit against Bayer Leverkusen is they are to progress in the Europa League
Rangers will need to overturn a 3-1 deficit against Bayer Leverkusen is they are to progress in the Europa League (Andrew Milligan/PA)

He said: "We respect the scoreline but while we're representing Rangers we'll fight to the end.

"If we can't qualify, we want to win the game on Thursday.

"We want to go there and show everyone we're capable of playing at that level.

"We'll play the game in isolation and try to give a good account of ourselves."

The Light Blues will travel with confidence after Ryan Kent's goal got them off and running with a 1-0 win behind closed doors at Pittodrie.

Rangers dominated the first half but did get it their own way after the break.

But Gerrard was pleased to see his side pick up just their fourth win in 11 attempts against the Dons under his watch.

He said: "We've been back for six or seven weeks, we've won five games and kept five clean sheets.

"I didn't see (the empty stadium) affecting us.

"At times we didn't look as nice on the eye – but we're not always going to be able to do that. The important thing is that we don't concede goals or let teams take points away from you.

Ryan Kent scored the only goal of the game at Pittodrie
Ryan Kent scored the only goal of the game at Pittodrie (Willie Vass/PA)

"We've been here many times and we've allowed Aberdeen to get back in the game. Last year we were 2-0 up and had similar periods of the game where we conceded.

"On Saturday we never and that's the most pleasing thing for me, not the 1-0 win.

"It's about defending well enough and doing what you need to do to get over the line."

Derek McInnes admitted his team lacked a focal point after being forced to start with youngster Bruce Anderson in place of injured strikers Sam Cosgrove and Curtis Main.

Ryan Edmondson (left) has joined Aberdeen on loan from Leeds
Ryan Edmondson (left) has joined Aberdeen on loan from Leeds (Andrew Milligan/PA)

But the Reds boss has high hopes for 19-year-old forward Ryan Edmondson, who was given a late run out 24 hours after agreeing a six-month loan move from Leeds.

He said: "Ryan does score goals at his own level, he is highly thought of at Leeds, he will be signing a new contract there in the next few weeks.

"We are delighted to get him. He is young and he is raw at times, but he has got potential and he gives us something a bit different."

ID:408843: cacheID:408843:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9331:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard reacts on March 12, 2020
Read Next:
Steven Gerrard delighted with opening-day three points
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio651016
2Athletic Bilbao651016
3Anderlecht642014
4Lyon641113
5Frankfurt641113
6Galatasaray633012
7Man Utd633012
8Rangers632111
9Spurs632111
10FCSB632111
11Real Sociedad631210
12Ajax631210
13Bodo/Glimt631210
14Roma62319
15Olympiacos62319
16Ferencvaros63039
17Plzen62319
18AZ62228
19Fenerbahce62228
20Porto62228
21Union SG62228
22Braga62137
23Elfsborg62137
24PAOK62137
25Midtjylland62137
26M. Tel Aviv62046
27Hoffenheim61326
28Besiktas62046
29Slavia Prague61144
30FC Twente60424
31Malmo61144
32Ludogorets60333
33Qarabag61053
34RFS60242
35Nice60242
36Dynamo Kiev60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!