Football Briefs: Rangers hold advantage but Gerrard preaches caution

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Gerrard inspired Liverpool to one of the greatest comebacks in European soccer in 2005 when the English side came from 3-0 down against AC Milan in the Champions League final to draw 3-3 before going on to win in a shootout.

Now, as manager of the Scottish Premiership side, Gerrard must ensure they do not get carried away with their first-leg win over a team that have knocked out Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen and Hibernian in European competition over the last eight years.

"I have turned many deficits like this around myself as a player, so we need to be on it and we need to be at it," Gerrard told RangersTV after goals from Alfredo Morelos, James Tavernier and Lassana Coulibaly gave his side the win at Ibrox.

"The game plan will be slightly different, but of course, 3-1 looks better than 2-1. This is only half-time though and we won't get carried away.

"You want the biggest advantage you can get, and in my time playing European football, it is never over at this stage."

Gerrard took over at Rangers in May and has brought in 11 players as he looks to end the dominance of Glasgow rivals Celtic, who have won the league for seven successive years.

Reaching the group stage of the Europa League would also provide much-needed funds for a side that are still recovering from financial problems that saw them reformed in the bottom tier of Scottish soccer in 2012.

Zabaleta backs Pellegrini to help West Ham succeed

West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini's experience and attention to detail can help the Premier League club develop the winning mentality they need to succeed, according to defender Pablo Zabaleta.

The London side brought in former Manchester City and Real Madrid manager Pellegrini to replace David Moyes in May as they push for a top-half finish following relegation battles in their last two campaigns.

"When I heard Manuel was coming it was good, it was positive," Zabaleta, who has worked with the Chilean for three years at City, told the London Standard.

"He is very experienced and has worked in big clubs. He can bring all of that experience to West Ham and that has to be really good for us."

Zabaleta said that Pellegrini had also instilled a sense of discipline at the club.

"His training sessions are good while as a person he's calm, a true gentleman. At the same time, he's so demanding and that's what you need to succeed, a winning mentality," Zabaleta added.

West Ham are at Liverpool in their league opener on Sunday.