The first leg between Rangers and Athletic Club did little to help assess how close the two teams are.
The early sending off of Robin Propper saw Barry Ferguson make the appropriate tactical changes with Liam Kelly the heroics in goals.
It wasn’t a total backs to the wall performance though with the Rangers manager likely to be encouraged by just how quiet Kelly was between the sticks.
What will also have pricked Ferguson’s ears is Ernesto Valverde giving Rangers a game plan by revealing that his team struggles to break down defensive teams.
In front of an expectant home crowd, if Rangers frustrate, it could cause Athletic problems, as Valverde has hinted at again.
Rangers can turn Athletic Club pressure to their advantage
Athletic are hoping the Estadio de San Mames decides the Europa League quarter-final, however, the pressure of the tournament’s final being in the same ground could take its toll:
“What we always try to do when these games come around is to use these kinds of things as motivation for us, to transform all of that into positive energy,” said Valverde.
“There is of course pressure. We want all that energy to help us move forward, not block us.”
The manager is thinking it, and you can guarantee that the Athletic players are thinking it too.
How should Rangers set up to beat Athletic?
A European Final in your home city, in your home ground, the weight of expectation.
That Athletic are moulded by players from the Basque Country will only intensify this desire.
Jose Mourinho hinted that UEFA will help Athletic on their route to Bilbao which means that Rangers will have to be on their best behaviour.
They will also have to be at their most clinical as they were in Turkey against Fenerbahce.
In 2022, Rangers went toe to toe with teams like Borussia Dortmund, for the class of 2025, it will take a Walter Smith like sense of discipline to advance.
