Bayer Leverkusen star Jonathan Tah is looking forward to running out at Ibrox when his side take on Rangers in the Europa League Last 16, as quoted by the Glasgow Times.
The German club made it to this stage by dispatching Porto 5-2 on aggregate, while the Gers defeated Braga 4-2 over two legs.
Few would have expected Steven Gerrard’s side to reach this stage when their qualifying campaign began back in July. However, they made it through four two-legged ties to reach the competition proper, then finished second in a tough group before dumping out one of the form clubs in European football.
Home results have been the bedrock of that success, with Rangers as yet unbeaten at Ibrox.
Therefore, while Tah is excited to sample the atmosphere, he’s expecting a big challenge.
“We are really excited,” said Tah, as quoted by the Glasgow Times. “I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about the stadium and the feeling when you play there and the atmosphere. I’m really looking forward to it.”
“I think they’re definitely a tough draw for us. It’s not going to be easy to play against them. The first game is in Glasgow so it’s going to be really tough.
“We want to win both games, so we don’t think about whether being away is an advantage. Of course, if we score in the away game then the second game, I wouldn’t say it would be easier, but it would be a lot calmer.”
Verdict
The 6ft 5″ defender brings an immense physical presence at the back for a Bayer Leverkusen side in the midst of a purple patch.
They have won nine of their last eleven matches in all competitions, in a period of form which stretches back to before their domestic winter break, while they have a squad valued at over £400m by Transfermarkt.
Despite all that, they won’t be taking Rangers lightly, and that’s a sign of how far the Gers have come in European competition.
As was shown against Braga, when Ibrox is whipped up into a frenzy, the form and momentum of the opposition can be rendered irrelevant, and Bears will be hoping for a first-leg victory next Thursday.
Ahead of the game, we’ve picked out three Bayer dangermen who must be kept quiet.
