Rangers are preparing to welcome Athletic Club in the Europa League quarter final first leg tie at Ibrox.
Whilst Rangers have an abysmal record v Spanish teams, the Gers did come out on top the last time Rangers faced Athletic Club way back in 1969.
Rangers will be well aware they are not the favourites against Athletic Club but strange things tend to happen on Europa League Thursdays at Ibrox.
Ahead of the game, one pundit has warned Rangers that they’ll be lucky to get a touch of the ball against the La Liga side despite playing the first leg at Ibrox.
- READ MORE: Rangers Europa League prize money banked so far and what Athletic Club results could earn
Rangers will be ‘lucky to get touch’ against Athletic Club
Paul Slane reckons Rangers will be up against it in the Europa League when Athletic Club come to town.
The pundit was speaking as part of Open Goal’s pre-match preview of the game and reckons that the Spaniards are a ‘level up’ from Rangers’ previous competition this season.
The former Motherwell midfielder also reckons Rangers will struggle to get a touch of the ball at Ibrox.
“For me (Athletic Club) is a level up from what they’ve played,” Slane told Open Goal.
“Fenerbahce etc. To be fair, Man Utd they were excellent this season, I know they got beat, Spurs as well, I know they’re not great.
”They’ve done it in Europe, they have done it v good teams but Bilbao for me, I think (Rangers) will struggle to get a touch of the ball. That’s how good they are at times.”
Barry Ferguson urged to contain ‘different level’ Athletic Club star
Barry Ferguson was furious with the Rangers team after the 2-0 defeat to Hibs with the Ibrox side now on a devastating losing streak at Ibrox.
Rangers have lost five in a row at Ibrox for the first time in the club’s 153 year history and Athletic Club will be hoping to heap on the misery in the Europa League this week.
Ferguson has suggested he’s set to go into a more disciplined shape for the remainder of the season and Paul Slane doesn’t think that’s a bad idea against Athletic Club.
The Open Goal pundit has singled out Arsenal-linked Nico Williams and reckons Rangers must adapt to keep the Spanish winger quiet.
”Nico Williams, wait and you see him,” said Slane. ”(Inaki Williams) is excellent but Nico is just on a different level.
”He might go with a four to try and win the game but I don’t if a three at the back and double up with (Williams) because if you’re left one-v-one with him, oof.”
