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An old friend can be a damaging enemy to Steven Gerrard on Thursday night as rangers coach tries to take his club to the Europa League organizational level for the third consecutive season.
In a play-off match against a Galatasaray team that Gerrard described as a “Champions League level” opponent, he will have a cautious and respectful look at the potential risk his former Liverpool teammate Ryan Babel may pose.
The now 33-year-old Dutch foreign winger scored the purpose of the moment when the Turkish giants beat Hajduk Split 2-0 in Istanbul to secure the one-legged confrontation against Rangers in Ibrox.
Babel spent three and a half years at Liverpool, and joined Ajax in 2007 for a payout of 11. 5 million pounds. Although inconsistent in his time at Anfield, he earned Gerrard’s respect, in medallion, in a non-public and professional manner.
“I know Ryan very well, he’s a smart friend,” said the former Liverpool captain. “I enjoyed betting with him. I think he’s now well positioned in terms of his football.
He had a bit of combined time in Liverpool, but when he was good at it, he was a great player next door because he’s powerful, he’s fast, he can overtake the players and he’s got a cannon on his right. foot So he’s a very damaging opponent. But I know Galatasaray well in terms of staff.
“We want to know a little more about the formula they play and their tastes at home and outside. We’ll be running a lot more this week. But needless to say, we’re talking about a giant club. We’ll respect them next Thursday.
“It’s no less difficult as we go through those grades and it’s been the case since my two years here. At this stage, the opponent’s point, and collectively, increases.
“Football is about levels, there is no escape. But it will be up there in the Portos, Feyenoords and Bragas of this global that we have played recently.
“We’re entering a Champions League game point. We’re going to have to get to a specific performance point. “
This promises to be a poignant opportunity for Rangers gamer Ianis Hagi, who was born in Istanbul thanks to his father Gheorghe’s immense good fortune as a Galatasaray player, but Gerrard needs to make sure the 21-year-old Romanian is not unduly distracted by the closure of his family. club appointments between Rangers and the organizing stage.
“Yes, I appreciate and respect all this, but with all due respect, there is nothing, ” said Gerrard. “This is the Rangers opposite Galatasaray. Ianis is well placed right now and is getting bigger and bigger since the preseason.
“It’s starting to be seen in terms of numbers and creation in your game, so we’re very satisfied with it. We don’t need you to go to this game with luggage or think of anything that isn’t necessary. You just want to concentrate”. in the 90 minutes and take a look to find its most productive functionality for us.
“Everything that happens around the match in terms of sensations, we respect it but it’s not important. “
Rangers are in a good mood after their 4-0 win over Willem II in the third qualifying circular last Thursday, but before turning to Galatasaray, they will look to return to the Premiership’s victory over Motherwell at Fir Park today after falling. last weekend.
“We’ve had a tough challenge at Motherwell, Stephen Robinson has energized his team,” Gerrard said.
“They’re a wonderful team and they’re going to give us a smart physical challenge. It’s a game we’re looking for in advance, but we have to be mentally correct, make sure we recover well.
“It’s smart for us that Motherwell had a similar week in terms of what they had to put in their week with the Europa League and it looks like they had a tough game in Israel.
“So even Stevens, so to speak, from the beginning. In fact, there’s no excuse for knowing where we are. We have to be in a position to perform well because we have to check to accept as many problems as we can.
Motherwell will recover from his mid-week elimination from the Europa League at the hands of Hapoel Beer Sheva.
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