Warren Dunn

Sat 5 December 2020 10:00, UK

Rangers legend Barry Ferguson said that this current Gers side have more ability than the team that reached the final of the UEFA Cup in 2008.

Steven Gerrard’s side secured their progression to the knockout phase of the Europa League with a win against Standard Liege at Ibrox on Thursday.

The Gers were forced to come from behind twice, but goals from Connor Goldson, James Tavernier and Scott Arfield secured a 3-2 win and kept them top of Group D.

Writing in his column for the Daily Record, Ferguson said that the current side have a “bit of everything” and look prepared to do what it takes to win.

“They probably have more ability collectively than we had,” he said (via Daily Record).

“But you need much more than ability and this Rangers team have a bit of everything as they prepare to take their place in the knockout stages.

“They have good players, great energy. They are a real well-drilled unit. And they look prepared to do whatever it takes to win. I look at their mindset when they lose the ball and their work ethic is superb.”

This is high praise indeed from Ferguson, who won five Scottish Premiership titles with the club and started in the UEFA Cup final as they lost 2-0 to Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester.

However, the evidence this season suggests that this is a Rangers side with huge potential, with strength in attack and defence.

The Gers were not on their best form against Liege and appeared to struggle to handle the mobility of some of their attackers and this is something they will face more often in the knockout rounds.

They have conceded seven goals in their last three European ties and with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma, Napoli and AC Milan potentially waiting, there will be a sharp learning curve for Gerrard and his team.

However, this should be a hugely valuable experience for the team, who went out in the round of 16 last season at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen.

In other Rangers news, three things learned about Rangers v Falkirk