Carlos Cuellar has warned Rangers that they will face one of Spanish football’s most ‘dynamic’ teams in Athletic Club in the Europa League.
Athletic Club might be without Yuri Berchiche for the trip to face Rangers but the talent-strewn Spaniards boast an impressive array of attacking options.
Nico Williams is being tracked by Arsenal with brother Inaki and the returning Oihan Sancet set to pose real problems to a Rangers defence which will be without John Souttar.
But whilst Cuellar insists Athletic Club are ‘one of the teams I like to watch the most’ in Spain, the former Rangers centre-back claims that the Gers have plenty of threats of their own.
It comes after Cuellar branded the Rangers fans ‘mind-blowing’ heading into the Europa League first leg at Ibrox.
Rangers duo can help execute ‘classic Scottish football’ v Athletic Club
Carlos Cuellar has praised the Rangers team for their defensive solidity and the quickness in their transitions.
Whilst Rangers have just matched a 131-year-old record by conceding two or more goals for six league matches on the trot, Cuellar reckons the Gers have a clear game plan in European competition.
”On paper, Athletic (are favourites) but Rangers showed against Fenerbahce that they can compete with anyone,” Cuellar told El Correo.
“Besides, they don’t mind if Valverde’s team comes and dominates them at home or if they have control of the ball.
“They’re a very well-equipped team, tactically very strong. And if you make a mistake and let them run, they’ll play classic Scottish football on you, with four or five players coming out in beastly transitions.”
Cuellar single outs two players as being crucial to the execution of this counter-attacking tactic.
The former Gers defender has labelled Czech winger Vaclav Cerny and Nigerian international Cyriel Dessers as the Ibrox side’s two danger men and the players who can hurt Athletic Club.
Both players have been crucial to Rangers’ progression in the Europa League to this point, with Cerny scoring twice after Dessers opened the scoring to secure a 3-1 away to Fenerbahce in the last round.
Cuellar said: “They’re a very strong team defensively, they pass you by very well, and they have fast, quality players up front, especially the Czech winger Cerny and the striker Dessers.”
Carlos Cuellar defends under-fire Jack Butland
Cuellar has also reserved praise for under-fire Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland, who finds himself under increasing pressure in Glasgow.
Barry Ferguson criticised Butland after the goalkeeper’s latest gaffe in the 2-0 defeat to Hibs with calls aplenty from Rangers fans for Liam Kelly to be given the gloves.
Nonetheless, Cuellar has backed the goalkeeper and claims Butland ‘comes up in the important moments’.
This was especially true against Fenerbahce, where Jack Butland was the hero in the penalty shoot-out.
Cuellar explains: “Then they have Butland, a goalkeeper who can score points and who comes up in the important moments.”
