Rangers manager Steven Gerrard wants his players to defend the Scottish Premiership with their “lives” this coming season as he aimed “to be better in Europe” while building on the title success of 2020/21.
The Gers players return to pre-season training this week as preparations begin for the defence of the title and Gerrard is full of “optimism, excitement and belief” ahead of his fourth season in charge at Ibrox.
Speaking in the club’s ‘Champions‘ magazine, released to mark the 55th title win, Gerrard is hopeful fans can return to games in considerable numbers and threw down the gauntlet to his players.
“I want us to defend this championship with our lives and also attack 2021/22 with everything we have got, with hopefully all our fans back at Ibrox and at away games if the coronavirus restrictions allow for that,” he said.
“It goes without saying that we have missed our supporters massively and, while we want to build on our recent league success for them, we also want to improve and go further in the domestic cup competitions while striving to be better in Europe.
“So there is much to play for next season and with new faces in our squad there is no reason why we can’t go into it with great optimism, excitement and belief.”
Rangers getting ready to return to work
Rangers will face Partick Thistle this week in their first pre-season friendly and will host Arsenal at Ibrox in a few weeks time.
With a few of Gerrard’s squad still on international duty, there will be a few faces missing when the players return for pre-season training.
After the heroics of last season, the expectation from Rangers fans will only increase as the supporters look ahead to a return to the Champions League.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
