Rangers have been told what to expect of Villarreal tonight, but from Celtic cult-figure Patrick Roberts.
Roberts spent two-and-a-half years at Parkhead on-loan from Manchester City. He proved to be a hit over the road, and has gone on to better things with Girona in Spain.
This has put him into direct competition with Rangers’ opponents tonight. Girona have already met Villarreal at El Madrigal this season, and managed to take a 1-0 win there back in August. Rangers, of course, nabbed a 2-2 draw in Spain when they visited the same venue back in September.
Roberts will have managed to get a front-row seat of what’s been going on at Villarreal this season. Speaking in the Scottish Sun today, Roberts touched on what Rangers can expect tonight.
“Rangers did well in the game over in Spain. They have good young players up front and, of course, Santi Cazorla.
“Villarreal are an excellent team, one of the best I’ve played against. I know we won there, but they dominated for long periods of the game.
“You never know in football. Rangers are at home and I’m sure there will be a great atmosphere. A draw would be an achievement for Rangers.”
Differing expectations
Contrary to what Roberts thinks, Ibrox certainly won’t be bouncing if the score tonight ends 0-0 or 1-1. Rangers are going for three points, and only three domestic wins this season for Villarreal shows there are vulnerabilities there.
Rangers know how healthy a win would be for them in the group. A draw, however, would still leave Villarreal ahead of Gers with Spartak still holding a head-to-head advantage over them should they avoid defeat against Rapid Vienna.
A lot of whether tonight is a good or bad night could rely on that Spartak-Rapid Vienna clash. If Rangers don’t win, they’ll be looking for a draw in that one to keep the status quo.
Carlos Bacca and Santi Cazorla are clearly Villarreal’s danger-men tonight. Roberts seems to think there are plenty of other talented players in there, and he’s most likely correct. Regardless, these are the two Rangers really need to keep quiet tonight.
Bacca has yet to score since returning from injury, but Cazorla has been exceptional this season. Keep them quiet, and Rangers have a big chance of a result.
