Steven Gerrard has revealed that he has received 'guarantees' his Forest ranger players will not be caught in another storm of racial abuse in the Czech Republic.
Gerrard brought his players back to Prague on Wednesday afternoon for the European League Showdown with Sparta - Just six months after a short-tempered knockout draw with rivals Slavia unleashed a torrent of taunts and disgusting behavior targeting a host of black Ibrox club players.
Disgraced Czech international defender Ondrej Kudela was punished with a 10-game penalty after UEFA found him guilty of calling Glen Kamara a 'bloody monkey' during an ugly late-game flash point.
And several of Kamara's teammates, including the forward Kemar roofe, were subjected to disgusting online abuse at the hands of fanatical Czech thugs.
Now the Rangers, minus the absent clash Connor Goldson, have flown back to the capital for a Group A tie that was ordered to take place behind closed doors due to racist chants from Sparta fans during a recent qualifier from the Champions League with Monaco.
But the Czechs have been given permission to allow around 10,000 children under the age of 14 to enter Letna Stadium for free, with a minimum number of accompanying adults.
And Gerrard, who will miss his game stone Goldson, says he has been given assurances that his team will not be subjected to further dirty abuse.
When asked if he had any apprehensions before making the trip yesterday, Gerrard said: โNo, I spoke to most of my players in the last few days. We talk about the game.
โGlen and Kemar, who were affected by the last game, are in a good place and are looking forward to it. They both want to come and do a performance for the team.
โThere is no apprehension as far as I'm concerned. I am sure that everything will work out.
"For me, it's about focusing on the game, preparing the team in the best possible way and hopefully it will be a really good show because you have two good teams that need these points."
Gerrard was then asked if he felt the authorities had done enough to suppress racism in football in the wake of Kudela's outrage.
He said, โThat is out of my control. That's for the powers that be.
โI think anyone who is involved in the game, we are always looking for improvements. We are always looking for the necessary powers to step up and show leadership on this issue. We know that it is not totally out of the game or eradicated. There is still more work and education to start.
โBut in my position you can only speak, say certain things and push and support. It's the people higher in the game than me who make the difference and change. "
A Czech reporter also asked Gerrard if he supported Sparta's plan to allow the children to attend the Group A clash tonight.
He replied: โIt is a good opportunity for the children to see a really important game. Obviously, we are responsible for trying to make that game the best it can be, so hopefully it will be a good show and a fun game for children.
โIt's certainly better than being empty for sure. At least there will be a better environment. "
And the Ibrox boss admits his players must come out of the locks tonight after falling 2-0 to favorite Lyon in their opener last week.
He said: โI said when the group was announced that we have three rivals and you are fighting and competing for as many points as you can. Obviously, we are very aware that Lyon is a first-rate team, as it was shown at Ibrox, where it was really good, although I think we did very well, it was only the great moments that were against us.
โBut we will fight for all the points that are available in all the remaining games. This is obviously a big one because we've lost our first game so it's important that we try to get something out of the game at least. "
