Rangers 0-2 Lyon: Steven Gerrard says side yet to 'hit top gear' this season

Manager Steven Gerrard says Rangers are yet to hit top form this season after Lyon inflicted a 2-0 Europa League defeat on his side.

The opening group loss at Ibrox is the Scottish champions' fourth of the season in 11 games in all competitions.

Gerrard's side suffered defeat just twice in 90 minutes last term, and the Rangers boss knows his players are not performing at their maximum capacity.

"I don't think we've hit top gear yet, I'll openly admit that," Gerrard said.

Talking to BT Sport, he added: "We've had to deal with certain things but I'm not going to use any excuses. We only feel the pressure and demands we put on ourselves, we're well aware of what the staff and the club demand."

Rangers, who were undone after Karl Toko Ekambi's stunning opener was followed by a James Tavernier own goal, face Motherwell in the Premiership on Sunday followed by Livingston in the last eight of the League Cup on Wednesday.

Kent injury adds to disruption

And they are almost certainly going to be without Ryan Kent for those games after the winger went off with a hamstring issue.

On Friday morning, Gerrard revealed the club were still waiting for the results of a scan but said Kent could miss "a few weeks".

He added: "It's frustrating but it is what it is. We have to deal with.

"I've not had a settled squad with everyone in a good place and available, so we can pick our strongest team and get some rhythm. With Covid, injuries, suspensions and people arriving late, we've found that difficult.

"We've had to roll from game to game and the squad is going to be more important than ever."

Alfredo Morelos is also a doubt for the weekend with a tight hamstring, although the manager stressed it was "not an issue on Kent's level".

Gerrard still believes his side have what it takes to get through group despite being punished for two costly errors against Lyon.

"At the domestic level, you can sometimes give the ball away in certain areas but not at this level in the Europa League," he told BT Sport.

"We created some decent moments without them being clear-cut. I think the scoreline is slightly harsh on us. We made two mistakes for their goals.

"We can still get out of the group; Lyon came out of Pot 1 and are a good team, but I don't think there was much of a gap in the teams."