Rangers take on Braga tonight in the last 32 of the Europa League looking to resurrect their form and season that is in danger of quickly going off the rails.
In a pivotal week in the fledgling managerial career of Steven Gerrard, he knows that two wins in two different cup competitions would do much to lift the spirits of Gers fans that have seen their chances of lifting the Scottish Premiership trophy disappear in a disastrous four week period that has seen them throw away the lead against Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Johnstone to the cost of eight points.
After an incredible first leg that will live long in the memory, Rangers recovered from being 2-0 down and not playing well, to taking a 3-2 victory and slender aggregate lead to the Estadio AXA.
Exciting it may have been for the neutral but the manner in which both sides coughed up chances means that the smart money certainly won’t be on a scoreless draw with Greg Stewart adamant that the Light Blues will get on the score sheet in Portugal.
At Ibrox, the initiative was seized when Glen Kamara made way for Joe Aribo and the Nigerian international followed up his impressive Europa League performance by being one of the few players to emerge with any credit in the 2-2 draw with St Johnstone at the weekend.
Gerrard likes to have a more protective midfield with Kamara, Steven Davis and Ryan Jack in continental football but the form of Joe Aribo and Scott Arfield leaves the gaffer with a difficult decision to make, the intent of his side will be indicated as soon as the team-sheet is released on Wednesday evening.
Will Rangers progress past Braga in the Europa League?
Yes
No
If Rangers can control the midfield, it will give his defence the protection it lacked in the first leg as possession was frequently turned over allowing Braga to counter and exploit the space in front of the back four, it will also give them the platform required to attack a defence that looked even shakier than their own.
It isn’t in this Rangers side’s make-up to defend a lead and knowing that their opposition can be got at can only mean more end to end madness in a Europa League last 16 shoot-out, don’t be surprised if it comes down to “next goal’s the winner” in the last ten minutes.