After more than a week of the publication slating the club and the fans, the Daily Record sports desk has turned the tables to take a favourable look at Rangers prospects on the pitch this evening.
In a feature published today, writers from the paper have all backed the Gers to overcome Slavia Prague – with the tie finely poised at 1-1.
First up was Keith Jackson.
Last week, he wrote about the ‘monumental own goal of Rangers fans‘ in regard to the scenes at Ibrox and George Square after the title was secured.
On the big game tonight, Jackson commented:
“Rangers looked understandably rusty in last week’s first leg but still managed to get home with an away goal and a draw.”
“Steven Gerrard and his players will be better prepared for this one and they’ll have to be. But they should have enough to make the last eight. 2-1.”
The other Record writers to feature were David McCarthy, Gavin Berry, Michael Gannon and Gabriel McKay.
In a continuing pattern, all of the journalists predicted both teams to score with a final result of either 2-1 or 3-1 to Steven Gerrard’s team.
Any win for his men would secure a place in Friday’s noon draw for the Europa League quarter final – which will also set the potential semi-final ties.
McKay even suggested the possibility of extra-time at Ibrox tonight, to settle the winner.
The last time Ibrox saw extra-time in European competition was back in 2004 against Martimo of Portugal in the UEFA Cup.
With the Gers winning the game 1-0 in the regulation 90 minutes, no further goals were scored right through to the end of the additional 30 minutes play before a nwervy penalty shoot-out ensued.
Gregory Vignal was the man of the moment that night, stepping up to slot home the clincher for Alex McLeish’s Rangers team.