STEVEN GERRARD has urged his side to be Rangers history makers in Spain as they bid for victory over Villarreal.

The Light Blues have made the trip to the Estadio de la Cerámica aiming to rewrite the record books in their first Europa League Group G encounter.

Rangers have never beaten Spanish opposition on home soil but enjoyed their most famous night by lifting the Cup Winners’ Cup Barcelona in 1972.

Gerrard said: “The line you’ve just used is perfect for me and my team-talk. With the challenges we have set these players, they have got over the majority of them.

“They have got excited by the challenges. They don’t seem to be timid or afraid of them. This is a huge challenge.

“Villarreal are a very good team and I think they are in a false position in the league. They are a team who spent £70 million in the summer. That should excite my players.

“What a chance. Live on BT. Go and give your best and see where it takes you. I believe we have got a chance of causing an upset.

“I’d love that. And, knowing my players in the short space of time, I’m sure they’d love that, too.

“The difficult thing is actually going out and carrying out the game plan and doing everything right individually within that.

“It would be some achievement. But what a carrot for the players.”

Rangers booked their place in the group stages by seeing off Shkupi, Osijek, Maribor and Ufa as they progressed through four qualifying ties.

Gerrard’s side will also face Spartak Moscow and Rapid Vienna in the coming months as they look to defy their status as fourth seeds to reach the knock-out rounds.

Gerrard said: “We are delighted to be here but we are not coming here to make up the numbers.

“We are coming here, specifically to Villarreal, to get a result. And I am quietly confident we’ve got chance of getting out of the group.

“The players are aware of what I want and what the club expects. Now we have to go and try and make that happen.

“But it is one game at a time. It’s about coming here with the belief you can get a result.”

Rangers will be without the suspended Jon Flanagan and Alfredo Morelos this evening, while midfielder Ryan Jack has been ruled out through injury.

Ovie Ejaria and recent signing Gareth McAuley also missed the victory over Dundee on Saturday.

Gerrard said: "Jon and Alfredo are ineligible to play which is a shame.

"Jack is still out - he's started light running and could have a chance for the game after the weekend.

"Ejaria is possibly available for the weekend. McAuley is getting closer to full training.

"Dorrans is with us and will be named as a substitute but isn't ready to start.”