Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has revealed that the coaches and analysts told the Gers players that they could hurt Villarreal ahead of their meeting in the Europa League and added that they have never lied to the players.
The Light Blues produced an inspired second half performance against Villarreal on Thursday when they came from behind twice to rescue a point in their Europa League opener away from home.
Rangers have been drawn alongside the likes of Villarreal, Rapid Vienna and Spartak Moscow in Group G and are currently in second place ahead of Villarreal and Spartak Moscow, who lost to Rapid Vienna in the other game on Thursday.
The Gers were not fancied as favourites to progress from their group, but the point away from home to Villarreal could prove to be a spring in their step as they target at least a second placed finish in Group G.
Gerrard had joked about a quiet sense of confidence with respect to qualification ahead of the clash and revealed that he told his players that they could hurt Villarreal if they did justice to their abilities.
“We watch opposition games very closely through the staff and the analysts. We don’t tell the players lies and we don’t give them false belief”, Gerrard told Rangers TV.
“We told them before the game, we are capable of hurting Villarreal and the other teams in the group.
“There is no point in us showing tremendous play in the first two phases and then getting to the last phase and not carrying it out and believing and going and delivering.
“We have unbelievable quality and we have people who can go and put the ball in the back of the net.
“The big message tonight is watch the second half tonight and start believing you are a very good team”, he added.
Rangers will next face St Johnstone in the Premiership on Sunday at Ibrox.
