Rangers have arrived in Greece to take on an Olympiacos side in a similar state as Philippe Clement’s side.
Fourth domestically and level on points with the Light Blues on the Europa League league phase table, a win would all but secure progress to the knockout stages, for either side.
Defeat would see the pressure ramp up on the Rangers manager, however, former Ibrox favourite Neil McCann is positive ahead of what could be an even encounter.
Rangers tipped to handle Greek heat against Olympiacos
When asked by host Gordon Duncan on the SPFL’s The Warm-up if there was any expectation on his old team, McCann replied:
“This is a real opportunity for them.
“I mean nine points they say is probably progression, round about that sort of thing.
“Rolling out that opportunity and saying look, I know you’re saying about the pedigree of the side they face, but I think that this is a winnable game.
“But, with Rangers, they should be dealing with pressure games like this.”
What sort of shape are Olympiacos in?
In 10 games, Olympiacos have won five, drawn three and lost two having scored 14 and conceded seven.
Ayoub El Kaabi is one of three obvious dangermen with six goals in the league already for the Greeks and Rangers won’t be able to give him the sort of opportunity afforded to Andy Halliday at Hampden.
Only defensive performances similar to the ones against Malmo and FCSB will see Clement return to Glasgow with all three points and a bit of momentum in his back pocket.
Despite a one-sided affair in pre-season last summer, both sides will look different with Rangers only likely to see James Tavernier, John Souttar, Nicolas Raskin and Cyriel Dessers from the team that started last time out.
What stood out then was that Rangers just didn’t look good enough technically; however, the additions of Mohamed Diomande, Vaclav Cerny and Nedim Bajrami should make a difference – if they don’t, Clement will need results against Man Utd or Spurs.
