FC Copenhagen manager Stale Solbakken has claimed Rangers could pose the same if not a greater challenge than Celtic, should the clubs be drawn against each other in the last 16 of the Europa League, as quoted by the Glasgow Times.
The Danish side secured a 4-2 aggregate victory over the Hoops courtesy of a brilliant 3-1 away win at Parkhead on Thursday evening.
The victory sees them take up a surprise spot in the draw for the next round, but they are aware that potentially greater tests lie ahead.
“Some of our injured players went to Rangers training ground for treatment today [Thursday] and met Steven Gerrard,” he said, as quoted by the Glasgow Times. “I think he was hoping to meet us in the next round.”
“I watched the League Cup Final and the last league game between them and they are two evenly matched sides. So it would be just as tough for us, if not tougher.”
Verdict
It’s a big blow for Celtic to be knocked out yet again in the Round of 32, and it’s given Bears something extra to revel in following Wednesday’s triumph in Braga.
Clearly, the Gers trail their fiercest rivals by some distance in the race for the Premiership title, but it’s no surprise that Solbakken is expecting a potentially bigger challenge against Steven Gerrard’s side, given the standard of the team’s performances in the two games he watched.
Rangers may have lost the League Cup final, but they dominated the game for large periods, while later that month, they were well worth a 2-1 win at Parkhead.
Plenty of Gers fans want to be drawn against the Danes as it would offer a chance to rub salt into the Hoops’ wounds, but with 14 other teams (RB Salzburg vs Frankfurt still to be played) entering the hat, there’s only an outside chance.
While you’re here, why not check out our list of the five hardest and five easiest draws the Gers could get, as based on the UEFA club coefficient.
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