Former Rangers and Willem II star Bert Konterman is finding it hard to separate the two sides going into their Europa League qualifier in Holland.
Rangers certainly have much greater prestige than the relative Dutch minnows, but Willem II should be underestimated at Steven Gerrard’s peril.
The Dutch outfit are hungry young side with plenty of talent who dumped the likes of AZ Alkmaar, PSV Eindhoven and Ajax last season.
Former defender Konterman spent two seasons at Willem II as a player prior to his move to Ibrox – with a spell at Feyenoord in between – and he knows enough about both sides.
The big Dutchman is finding it hard to separate the two as his excitement for the tie was palpable.
“I wish all the clubs I played for the best,” said Konterman [Herald].
“Willem II are working on a new chapter. Rangers are on the way back to the very top.
“In my time, Rangers had the likes of Claudio Caniggia and Ronald de Boer.
“Many players were at the end of their careers. But we had an experienced group.
“There are hardly any players with the same quality, who can decide a match on their own, now. They lack ingenuity and rely on passion and fight.
“Willem II should not, like Feyenoord last season at Ibrox, get into a fight.
“Then they will not win. Willem II must stay out of the duels. With well executed and tactically strong position play they can play and hurt Rangers.
“But when it comes to recycling the ball, Rangers win.”
Rangers splashed out a reported £4.5m to bring Bert Konterman to Ibrox back in 2000 and the defender spent three seasons at the club before returning to Holland with Vitesse.
Konterman is widely regarded as an expensive signing which never really worked out for Rangers but will always be remembered for that extra-time long-range howitzer which won the League Cup Final of 2002 against Celtic.
