Steven Gerrard’s Glasgow Rangers will face FK Shkupi at Ibrox this week.
Rangers are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard now in charge of the Ibrox outfit, the Gers must be hugely confident ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
Ibrox club Rangers have made a number of signings in the summer transfer window so far, including Jon Flanagan and Allan McGregor, and perhaps Gerrard could make further additions to his squad in the coming weeks.
While the Gers will be aiming to challenge Old Firm rivals Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title next season, they will also be looking to qualify for the group stage of the 2018-19 Europa League campaign.
Rangers will take on FK Shkupi in the first leg of their qualifying tie on Thursday, and fans of the Scottish Premiership club will expect them to win.
However, FK Shkupi attacking midfielder Muarem Muarem, 29, has warned the Gers not to get complacent.
Muarem told The Scottish Sun: “Rangers are a big club with a great European history, but we aren’t going there just to applaud them.
“History alone does not win you matches, we have to play them on merit and not be scared. They are a huge club in British football and of course they are big favourites.
“But we are going to Glasgow with absolutely nothing to lose. We want a positive result.”
Tough for Rangers
Rangers will head into the tie as favourites, but Gerrard’s side should not get complacent.
After all, FK Shkupi will be determined to put on a good show, and the players will be looking to keen on making an impression.
James Tavernier captaincy
Meanwhile, Lee McCulloch has praised Rangers manager Gerrard’s decision to make the club’s James Tavernier new captain, and has predicted that the 26-year-old right-back’s performance level to increase.
Former Rangers captain wrote in The Glasgow Evening Times about Tavernier: “He is someone the fans like but he is also a leader and he has the right mentality to lead from the front.
“I think it is a good call from Steven to make him skipper. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see an extra 10 per cent from him this year and he will be an integral part of the team, and the club.”
Tavernier is one of the best right-backs in the Scottish Premiership, and the former Newcastle United defender will rise to his new responsibility.
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