A selection of Rangers fans have taken to social media to express their delight Steven Gerrard’s decision to name an unchanged side for the club’s Europa League qualifier against Shkupi on Thursday evening.
The Light Blues confirmed their starting XI for the home tie via their official Twitter account, which revealed the new manager’s line up for what is his very first competitive game in the Ibrox dugout – the Englishman choosing not to make any changes to the side which played Bury in a friendly last week.
? TEAM NEWS: Your #RangersFC team for tonight's @EuropaLeague clash with FK Shkupi. pic.twitter.com/mv1A8DlZlC
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) July 12, 2018
The Gers welcome their Macedonian opponents hoping not to suffer the same embarrassment as they did last season, when they fell to minnows Progres Niederkorn in what was one of many low points of Pedro Caixinha’s reign.
A lot of the fans have been left pleased about the line up for a number of reasons, with the inclusion of Glenn Middleton exciting one Bear, while another appreciated his “consistency”.
This is Futbol has gathered a selection of responses on Twitter:
Class team. Let’s go!
— West Mids Loyal (@WestMidsLoyal) July 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/conorconor17/status/1017465322776023048
https://twitter.com/james19872_55/status/1017465159164612608
https://twitter.com/Hen7Pri/status/1017465297954131968
Fantastic ???
— ??Charlie?? (@Rangers4life_) July 12, 2018
So excited!!!
— Ross Whitehead (@onlyoneamoruso) July 12, 2018
Consistency, already liking his style!
— Will Ballantyne (@willballers) July 12, 2018
Opinion
Gerrard has stuck with what he knows after taking on Bury in a pre-season warm up and the fans seem to be on board with his decision. The first match for any manager is no easy task and it does not come much more important than a European qualifier at home. The Liverpool legend best hope that his players can get him off to the perfect start, or the pressure will be building from day one. The team includes a good mix of new players as well as those who were at Ibrox last season, and so there should be no worries about the team not gelling – especially considering Gerrard carried out much of his transfer business early on in summer.