STEVEN GERRARD hopes he will stay at Rangers ‘for a very long time’ after thanking the Ibrox board and Light Blue legions for their support so far this season.

The Liverpool legend was appointed boss on a four-year contract in the summer and embarked on a major overhaul of his squad as 15 players signed on the dotted line.

Rangers are second in the Premiership standings and just two points adrift of Old Firm rivals Celtic following their win over Livingston at the weekend.

And victory over Villarreal on Thursday night would be a major boost to their chances of progressing to the knockout stages of the Europa League.

It has been an impressive start from Gerrard in his first managerial position and the 38-year-old is pleased with the progress that has been made after attending his first Annual General Meeting in Glasgow.

He said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dave (King) for the support he has given me since day once and also the rest of the board and the directors.

“They have been really supportive to me and my staff and I would like to thank Mark (Allen) and Stewart (Robertson), who I am working with on a daily basis.

“Without the support and that backup behind myself and my coaching staff, we wouldn’t have been able to have achieve what we have so far this season.

“I can assure everyone that we will give every bit of time and effort we have got as a coaching staff to continue to move the club forward on the pitch and we will continue to try and attract the best players possible to help bring success back to this incredible club.

“I feel I am in such a blessed position to be here as the manager. I hope I stay here for a very long time and we share some really good times together.

“I thought this was the perfect opportunity for me to say thanks for the continued support I get from the supporters, the board, all my players and my coaching staff.”