West Ham boss David Moyes reckons Rangers have “no chance” in the Champions League – and they’re not the only ones.
The Europa Conference League winners are gearing up for a year in the Europa League where they’ve avoided a potential battle with Rangers.
But speaking ahead of the competition this season, David Moyes has suggested that the Europa League is more Rangers, Celtic, West Ham and Brighton’s level.
This comes after Rangers were humiliated in Champions League qualification by PSV Eindhoven and with the Ibrox side dropping down into the Europa League.
“Realistically, I am of the opinion that clubs like West Ham, whether it be Brighton, even Rangers and Celtic, have no chance of winning the Champions League,” said Moyes.
“Certainly Rangers and Celtic in the current climate.
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“But that tournament now that you have put it on the map, you saw how much it meant to the West Ham supporters.”
David Moyes, West Ham and Rangers in the Europa League
The Gers are gearing up for another campaign in the Europa League with Real Betis, Sparta Prague and Apollon Limassol lying in wait at Ibrox.
West Ham and David Moyes have earned a shot at Europe’s secondary competition this season too, avoiding Rangers in lieu of being a pot one side.
The Premier League side will face off against Backa Topola, SC Freiburg and Olympiakos in the group stages of the competition after winning the Conference League last season.
David Moyes has also heaped praised on UEFA for starting the third-tier European competition and claims it gives lesser sides a chance of continental glory.
“To be a European winner is something really special,” said Moyes. “The night was magical for us and for us to score in the last minute makes it even better.
“But I look the year before what it meant to Jose Mourinho, they (Roma) were the first winners of the competition. Jose has been serial winner and how much it meant to him.
“So for anybody to win it, and you look at the European competitions this year, the level… we are in a competition with Brighton and Liverpool. Not to mention the teams from overseas.
“The Conference League this year will be incredibly difficult to win. And yes, I agree, the Champions League is so elite and to be able to beat Man City or Inter Milan, it takes some doing nowadays. But the Conference League might give you a chance and UEFA have done a good job in getting a third competition out there which can involve a different level of team.”