STEVEN GERRARD is determined to reap more Europa League rewards for the Ibrox board and Rangers fans this term.

The Gers head into their Group D clash with Benfica on Thursday night knowing that victory could clinch a place in the knockout rounds for the second consecutive season.

The annual financial report that was released on Friday showed that a run to the last 16 was worth around £21million to Rangers last term.

And Gerrard is well aware of the importance of continental competition on and off the park during the Coronavirus pandemic.

He said: "Europe is always important for a club like Rangers because of the history and the big European nights that have gone before for the supporters, it's what they enjoy doing, watching their team in Europe, travelling near and far to follow their team.

"So from a football point of view there's always a responsibility and an expectation here as the Rangers manager to continue to do well, year on year.

"If that means we make more money or we go further in competitions and that helps from a financial point of view, then great. That is always the aim.

"The board and myself are on the same page and we're happy with where the team is at right now. But we both know there is still a lot of work to do to get to where we want to be."