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Glasgow Live
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Robert Fairnie

Steven Gerrard on Willem II 'front four' threat and what he learned during Rangers scouting mission

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard says there will be no surprises when his team take on Willem II in Europa League qualifying tomorrow.

The Ibrox management staff have been doing their homework on the Dutch side, and Gerrard reckons they've got enough about them to pose his team a real threat.

Willem II finished six points behind Feyenoord in last season's Dutch top flight.

But Gerrard doesn't think comparing them to Feyenoord – a team Rangers defeated last season – would do his side any favours.

He said: "I did watch the game they played against Feyenoord. The last game they played before the restrictions kicked in. It was an interesting watch.

"We've also watched all the games they've played this season. Two in the league and one against Progres in the previous qualifier.

"We've got a really good idea about this team. What they are about, their strengths and weaknesses. They carry a big threat from their front four players.

"They normally have a 4-2-3-1 formation. They made some really interesting changes at the weekend at half-time. They weren't getting much joy and played players who had been playing in positions consistently but went a little bit differently.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing what team they decide to play, because that'll give me a big indication, in terms of personnel, how it will look."

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On whether the one-legged element alters his approach to the tie, Gerrard added: "It might slightly. It is different. It is a unique situation. It does take away a slight advantage for us if it is over two legs and you have the opportunity to bring a team back to your home ground.

"Whether that's a bigger advantage with no fans or with fans is up for debate, but one thing's for sure – to get through this process under the COVID restrictions is going to be a harder and tougher challenge than the previous two years."

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