Glasgow Rangers drew 2-2 in their Europa League group-stage opener, with the Ibrox side coming from behind on two occasions.
Daniel Candeias has told Rangers’ official website that Steven Gerrard told the Gers squad to believe in themselves at half-time of their Europa League tie with Villarreal, insisting that they could secure a positive result with their second-half display.
The Gers went into the clash in Spain as major underdogs, and it appeared that that underdog status was justified as Carlos Bacca gave the home side the lead inside a minute with a stunning volley from outside the box.
Rangers looked lacklustre in the first-half and were perhaps fortunate that Villarreal’s good play in the middle of the park did not lead to anything too serious for Allan McGregor to worry about.
The Gers needed a wake-up call at the break and Candeias has suggested that Gerrard played a crucial role in inspiring the turnaround that saw the visitors come away with a point.
“When we finished the first half, the gaffer said in the dressing room to believe in ourselves and get a great result. I know we didn’t win, but a draw is a good result for us.”
Scott Arfield equalised midway through the second-half, but by the time the final 15 minutes of the contest arrived, Rangers had been level for around two minutes across the entire game as the Yellow Submarine scored immediately after Arfield’s goal.
Kyle Lafferty would find a second equaliser however, to leave Rangers celebrating what will surely go down as a famous night in their history given what the club have been through over the last few years.
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