STEVEN GERRARD admits Rangers will make life 'more complicated' for themselves if they fail to get off and running in the Europa League this evening.

The Light Blues face Sparta Prague in their second Group A fixture this term as they attempt to bounce back from the matchday one defeat at home to Lyon.

Prague would get their campaign off to a solid start against Brondby and victory over Gerrard's side tonight would see them land an early blow in the race for a last 32 spot.

Rangers have reached the knockout rounds in the last two seasons under Gerrard's guidance and he is fully aware of the importance of not returning to Glasgow empty handed.

"I can see your headline. Good question," Gerrard said when asked if this was a must not lose fixture for Rangers.

"Listen, we are well aware that we haven’t got off to the best of starts, for sure. Losing your first game always adds a bit of pressure and tension to your second game and we will certainly take that and take the responsibility for that.

"The plan is to go and try and win the game and we need a top performance to try and get maximum points.

"If we can’t find that performance or that result, it is important that we take something away from the game because, if not, the group becomes more complicated, there are obviously less points available and it adds even more pressure.

"The plan is to take something out of this game, ideally three points. If not, we will take something from the game and then we have got a couple of home games to come.

"I wouldn’t say it is must not lose. It is not the end of the world. But it certainly adds a lot of pressure if we don’t take something from it."