Former Rangers star Pedro Mendes has warned the Ibrox side to respect the threat of Europa League high-flyers Braga.
The Portuguese playmaker knows plenty about Rangers from his time in Glasgow and plenty about the Primeira Liga given Portugal is the midfielder’s homeland.
Whilst Rangers fans are generally happy with the draw, Mendes has warned his former club to beware the beast when they travel to Portugal again next month.
“Braga is a different team to Porto. Porto play and chase and are open. Braga will approach it differently,” said Mendes [BBC Sportsound].
“They have different types of players and some of them are very good technical players. Porto’s players are stronger.
“I’m not sure how Rangers will deal with it. It will be interesting.
“Braga this season in the Europa League are playing brilliantly. In the group stage they were by far the best team against strong opponents.
“They’re not doing so well domestically, dropping points where they shouldn’t. Great players – Joao Palhinha, the Horta brothers Andre and Ricardo, Bruno Viana and Nuno Sequeira.
“There is also a transfer window between now and then so both teams could be a little bit different.”
Mendes spent one and a half years at Ibrox between the summer of 2008 and January 2010 and made a lasting impression on the Rangers support.
The former Porto, Tottenham and Portsmouth midfielder had several memorable moments during his time at Rangers including a long-range effort against Celtic and an SPL winners medal in 2009.
Mendes also earned 11 caps for Portugal in an impressive career which also saw him play for Vitória de Guimarães and Sporting Lisbon.
