Steven Gerrard insists he’s seen a twinkle in the eyes of his stars that’s convinced him they are ready to shine in Belgium tonight.
The Rangers boss has had to deal with the distraction of dealing with some of his fringe men stepping out of line at the weekend.
But the quarantine crew hasn’t stopped him staring the rest of the squad in the eye – and Gerrard has liked what he’s seen.
He’s convinced the Light Blues are going to dazzle against Royal Antwerp this season as they look to steal a march towards the Europa League last 16.
Gerrard said: “The stage we are at and the relationship we have, I know them, they know me and the staff, we’ve really bonded together.
“I’d like to think I can get a feel amongst the group, how they train, how they look at you, what’s on the horizon.
“I’d like to think I’ve enough experience now to feel when a performance is about to come.
“Look, nothing surprises or shocks you in football, but going off the last two days in training, the players have shown a real top level.
“I don’t know if the boys have got the bit between their teeth, but they have looked really focused and in the zone, ready to put in a performance.
“We are really excited about this group of games. There is no fear and we believe at our best we have enough to get the job done.
“I see a twinkle in the eyes at training and they have shown a real top-level.
“The standard in training has been fantastic. “The level and intensity has gone through the roof and we are going in very excited.”
Gerrard’s men haven’t taken their sights off the Scottish Premiership title for a second this season as they close in on ending a decade of hurt.
But it’s been another successful charge in Europe to get to the knockout stages for the second campaign on the spin.
Gerrard is not done yet though. He’s already matched Dick Advoccat’s record of 22 wins in continental clashes and another one over the next week will see him match Walter Smith’s total.
It’s an incredible record in such a short time – especially with memories still fresh from previous European calamities.
Gerrard is happy to reflect on the journey – but he insisted he’s not worthy of joining the Ibrox greats just yet.
That might change if his long term dream is turned in to a reality though.
Gerrard said: “We’re really proud of our results in Europe, the majority of them.
“The players deserve all the credit for our record in Europe. They are the ones who’ve gone out and produced the performances.
“In terms of being named in the same category as Dick Advoccat or Walter Smith, I don’t think I’m ready for that.
“For me it’s just about preparing the team and giving them a game plan.
“Any time we’ve given them the responsibility and challenge, they have really stepped up.
“This is a competition they enjoy playing in. We want to strive or better.
“We want to quality and it’s the dream to go further than last year. “Further down the line we have aspirations of playing in the Champions League.
“That’s what we all have to strive for, there’s no harm in reaching for the stars.
“But you have to worry about what’s in front of you first.
“This is a level you can’t afford to have a night off, you can’t afford a performance like Hamilton.
“We know the standard and the technical quality goes up so we have to be right at it and find our maximum level.”
Gerrard’s back up might have been damaged by the covid controversy but his starting line up is at full strength.
Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe have been out serving domestic bans but ready to rock this evening.
Gerrard is hoping Morelos can turn it on in Europe as he has done so many times.
He said: “Alfredo is really chomping at the bit. Hopefully he can make up for the time he’s lost.
“I think he owes it to his teammates to come back in a good place and finish the season in the best place he can.
“Kemar is different as he still needs to serve a one game ban at the weekend but I’m delighted he’s available.
“He’s on a yellow card, so he has to be careful if we decide to go with him from the start or the bench.
“Alfredo has had a fantastic run in this competition of late. He’s been really consistent domestically as well.
“But these games seem to give him an extra spark. His goal return is the reason why we’ve had success in this competition in my time here.”
Rangers are firing on all cylinders while Antwerp have been complaining about losing up to eight players.
Gerrard won’t be lulled in to any false sense of security though.
He said: “I don’t think they will all off a sudden change the way they play because they have some absences.
“They have a big squad littered with talented players.
“We are up against an experienced manager who has been successful on his coaching journey.
“They are sitting in a nice position in the league so we are going over with big respect and facing a big challenge.
“But we are in a good place ourselves.”
