Ex-Rangers star and Belgian playmaker Thomas Buffel has heaped praise on Ibrox gaffer Steven Gerrard as he profiled the club’s Europa League opponents Antwerp.
The Gers travelled to Belgium in the group stages and impressed in two wins against Standard Liege which helped send the club through as Group D winners.
Steven Gerrard and his side will now return to the Flemish nation come February after drawing Jupiler League side Antwerp in the first knockout round of the competition.
Gerrard has transformed the club’s fortunes on the European stage and has the Gers serious challengers for the Scottish Premiership this season.
Buffel – who joined Rangers from Feyenoord in a £2.3m deal and would spend three-and-a-half seasons at the club – paid tribute to the Ibrox gaffer’s progress at one of his “favourite club’s” so far.
“Gerrard was a player with insight into the game, and I now see that at Rangers,” said Buffel [GVA].
“Each match he tries to play the right game tactically. And to make a difference with his brains.
“But his greatest achievement to me is that with passion he transformed Rangers, just like before, into a winning team.
“Imagine that Anderlecht or Club Brugge have the same thing, and have to start over in provincial leagues from one day to the next.
“It gives me a great feeling to see one of my favorite clubs achieve success again. It takes time to get rid of the budgetary backlog with Celtic.
“But in the meantime Rangers are again meeting the better clubs in Europe.”
Speaking about Antwerp, former Belgian international Buffel, 39, has warned Rangers that they’ll face a much more experienced side than Standard when they return to the European nation.
“Unlike Standard, Antwerp does have some seasoned players,” said Buffel.
“[Dieumerci] Mbokani and [Lior] Refaelov have already earned their stripes on the European podium.
“They themselves will have to make the difference.”
Former Rangers midfielder Buffel made 76 appearances for Rangers across four seasons at Ibrox, scoring 13 goals for the club and winning a Scottish Premiership and League Cup.
The midfielder has previously spoken about his Ibrox departure and admitted he has “no regrets” about the manner of his exit in 2008.
