Rangers have advantage over Union Saint-Gilloise amid ‘massive’ claim – pundit
Frank McAvennie has claimed it is “massively important” Rangers progress to the next stage of the Champions League.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Celtic striker suggested the crowd at Ibrox will be a major advantage for the Gers in the second leg.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side lost 2-0 to Union Saint-Gilloise in the away leg of the tie last Tuesday (2 August).
Rangers will take on the Belgian side in the return leg at Ibrox on Tuesday (9 August).
If the Glasgow club fail to overturn the two-goal deficit they will drop into the Europa League group stage.
Speaking to Sky Sports (3 August), Van Bronckhorst said his side were “lucky” to only concede twice.
When asked how important it is for the Bears to qualify for the group stages, McAvennie told Football Insider: “I think it’s massively important.
“Celtic got put out last year by Bodo Glimt. The problem is you can’t underestimate any teams now. I’d never heard of the team Rangers are playing and then all of a sudden you’re thinking wow, they’re decent.
“There’s decent coaches all round the world. It just shows you when people go to different countries and organise a team it makes such a difference.
“Rangers would have been odds-on favourite to win the games. They’ve got a hell of a job to do. The games come quickly at the start of the season and the players might not be up to speed.
“I’ve got a feeling with the fans behind them they might do something on Tuesday. The club won’t be used to the atmosphere they’ll experience at Ibrox.“
In other news, a Rangers expert has issued ‘big’ Jon McLaughlin verdict after Giovanni van Bronckhorst confession.