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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Robbie Copeland

Alashkert boss makes Steven Gerrard admission as Rangers Europa League foes out to make history at Ibrox


Alashkert manager Alexander Grigoryan admits Steven Gerrard is his hero - but that won't stop him trying to get one over on him at Ibrox next week.

The Armenian side are looking forward to a clash with Rangers that Grigoryan describes as the pinnacle of his managerial career.

The 54-year-old, who has managed extensively in the Russia top flight before taking over at Alashkert earlier this year, was buzzing to set up a Europa League playoff tie with the Scottish Premiership champions.

It will see him go up against his favourite ever footballer, but it's also a huge game for Alashkert, who have previously faced Celtic and St Johnstone in European qualifying.

Grigoryan said: "This will be the culmination of my coaching career. Steven Gerrard is my all-time favourite footballer. But that doesn't mean I don't want to beat him.

"I knew if we beat Kairat, we would have to play Rangers and it was a huge incentive for us.

"I watched their game against Malmo and the atmosphere was incredible. But we have a good atmosphere ourselves in Yerevan.

"In my opinion, if Rangers played in Russia, only Zenit St Petersburg could challenge them.

"But we should not underestimate ourselves. We are a good team. To defeat a team like Kairat Almaty is an amazing achievement. We will go into the game believing we can make history."

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