Steven Gerrard gets win in first competitive match with Rangers

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:29 am

Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images

Rangers handed Steven Gerrard a win in his first competitive match as a manager by beating Macedonian side Shkupi 2-0 in a Europa League first-round qualifier. 

Gerrard was hired to his first senior management job in May, with the Liverpool legend confident his lack of first-team managerial experience would not be an issue with the Scottish giants.

And the former Liverpool Under-18s coach showed his wares on Thursday, getting a first-half goal from Jamie Murphy and late penalty from James Tavernier ahead of next Tuesday's return leg in Skopje.

"I think we are satisfied with the result and parts of the performance. But I don't think it's any better than satisfactory," Gerrard said after the match.

"There is still a lot of work to do and we are still in a game. We have to make sure we perform when we go out there.

"I thought we should have won it more comfortably if we were a bit sharper in front of goal. We take 2-0 but I'm slightly disappointed we didn't win it more comfortably.

"I felt we should have had the game done by the time we got the second goal with the chances we created. They were very good chances.

"Maybe if you're being over-critical you probably say we have to sharpen up in front of goal and maybe we will have to blame ourselves for not putting the complete tie to bed tonight."

Gerrard said last year's capitulation against Progres may have been on his team's mind but is confident of reaching a second-round berth against NK Osijek of Croatia.

"Maybe, maybe with some of the players who were here last year but I don't think it would have been a concern for any of the new players because they never experienced it," he said.

"But it was the first time some of them have played in front of a full house here with that atmosphere. The place was absolutely jumping.

"Players are going to take time to settle in and feel themselves.

"But having seen what I've seen tonight I'm very confident we can go there, score goals and get the right result."