Rangers have a great chance of picking up a famous European victory at home to Villarreal on Thursday night, according to Daily Record journalists Keith Jackson and Michael Gannon.
Steven Gerrard’s side host the Spaniards in UEFA Europa League action knowing that a win will likely be needed if we are to progress further in the competition and secure knockout football after Christmas.
Villarreal haven’t won away from home in September but also know they need a positive result for their own qualification chances. Winning at the weekend for the first time in six matches, they’ll be arriving in Glasgow looking do a job on us.
Some are confident of our chance though, with some pundits at The Record pretty bullish about our chances.
Jackson reckons: “The Spaniards ought to be the strongest team in the group but they’ve got themselves into a horrible mess. On the contrary, Rangers have been impressive throughout this campaign and particularly strong at Ibrox. It’ll be tight but they’ll nick it by a goal.”
While Michael Gannon pitches in with: “Rangers are well suited for playing away from home but it will be a different ball game against the Spaniards in Glasgow. There will be goals galore again with Rangers edging it in another thriller.”
What they’re both probably right about is how close the match will be. I’m expecting another knife-edge encounter like the 0-0 with Spartak Moscow rather than a toe-to-toe goalfest like the away fixtures in Spain and Russia.
I also believe we have it in us to pick up a famous win though and march towards the knockout stages. We have that kind of mentality right now.
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