Manager of English giants delivers surprising verdict on Rangers
By Harry Sykes
Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal has predicted big things for Rangers ahead of the new Scottish Premiership season.
Wednesday were convincingly beaten 2-0 by the Glasgow giants, managed by Carvalhal’s countryman Pedro Caixinha, at Hillsborough yesterday (Sunday).
Goals from Josh Windass and Kenny Miller secured a notable triumph against the Championship promotion hopefuls, regarded as a traditional giant of English football despite their lengthy spell in the doldrums.
The victory came four days after Caixinha’s side beat Watford 2-1 in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday evening, which had followed a 1-1 draw against French giants Marseille.
Rangers have been on the receiving end of huge criticism in Scotland over the last 12 months and many pundits have been unimpressed by a summer overhaul in which many of the nine new signings are unknown foreign players with no experience of Scottish or British football.
But Carvalhal is convinced they can make a genuine impact in 2017-18 in what represents a surprising verdict.
“Rangers had good organisation,” Carvalhal said, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“They started three weeks earlier than us because they played two Europa League games and of course they have more tempo and more energy, they are ready to start their season.
“We were a little nervous. They are organised in defence, I like their team. They will have a good season.”
Rangers, who were eliminated from the Europa League earlier this month in humiliating fashion at the hands of minnows Progres, have now been given a major confidence boost with two wins and a draw in their final three pre-season fixtures.
The Glasgow giants begin their Scottish Premiership campaign with a trip to Motherwell next Sunday in what is a lunchtime kick-off.
In other Rangers news, the club are eyeing a swoop for a top-flight duo and have already tabled one major bid.
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