STEVEN GERRARD savoured Rangers’ dramatic victory over Legia Warsaw and admitted nights like this make him proud to be Ibrox boss.
The 39-year-old guided his side into the Europa League group stages for the second consecutive season as Alfredo Morelos netted the only goal of the tie on a dramatic evening.
Morelos sparked wild scenes of celebration amongst supporters and Gerrard’s staff and players and Rangers now have another extended European campaign to look forward to in the coming months.
Gerrard said: “The importance of the victory is more about the club. Dave King went on record and said this club needs European football.
READ MORE: Who can Celtic and Rangers face in the group stages of the Europa League?
“It’s been tough trying to build a squad on the budgets available, to get over the line in these circumstances.
“So I have to pay respects to the recruitment team who work tirelessly, help me identify the players and help me to get them in here to get the job done.
“It’s been tough but we have built a good team. We still need to improve, we can get better and keep learning. But I’m so proud of where they are at. If they keep facing these challenges like they are and keep focused, we can have some good times together.
“You saw the place at the end and there wasn’t a prouder man in the building than me.
“One of the reasons I took the job was the support. From the outside, I could see the pain and disappointment. I wanted to come in and help.
“It’s moments like tonight that make me feel so proud and make it feel worthwhile. I’m glad I signed up to it.
“I wanted nights like this from a personal point of view. But to see my players celebrating with the 47000 fans at the end, it was an emotional time. I was so proud to be the manager of this club out there.”
Rangers went into the second leg having earned a goalless draw in Warsaw last Thursday night and determined to reach the group stages once again to maintain their momentum going into the Old Firm clash with Celtic this weekend.
And Gerrard was full of praise for his players as Morelos headed home a Jordan Jones cross to win it with just seconds to spare.
READ MORE: Scotland tops UEFA coefficient chart following European qualifying
Gerrard said: “Over both legs they've been a very tough nut to crack.
“I felt in the first half tonight we were a little bit anxious and a few of us had the handbrake on.
“I needed to go for them at half-time, I needed to provoke them into really letting themselves go.
“They had 45 minutes to win a football match and I just took all the responsibility away from them and told them to go. Go!
“I wanted them to believe in our fitness and to believe that we were the team who'd provide that moment of quality because I felt certainly in the opening stages that Legia were a bit nervous.
“They were there for the taking as I felt we had a little bit too much for them.
“I told them at half-time to give me everything they've got to a man and that's exactly what they did, so I'm really proud of them.
“The players deserve all the credit and it's a huge, huge result for the football club.”
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