Rangers were good value for their draw against Olympiacos and, if anything, can feel aggrieved at not leaving Greece with all three points.
Philippe Clement’s record as manager continues to impress in terms of results away from home in Europe, all he needs now is to replicate this domestically.
With nine points expected to seal qualification, Rangers aren’t there yet sitting on seven with Talksport presenter Alan Brazil claiming that it was a missed opportunity.
Rangers written off after Olympiacos performance
Clement felt that it was two points dropped given the chances that Cyriel Dessers missed, but the Gers boss isn’t stupid, he knows it is a difficult place to get a result.
In recent years, several English teams have gone to the Karaiskakis Stadium and returned empty handed and the Europa Conference League winners from last season were always going to be tricky opposition, not that Celtic fan Brazil saw it that way:
“I have to say, yes, a good draw, but looking back on that game, Rangers should have won that,” claimed Brazil.
“I thought Olympiacos were pants, and the crowd told you as they walked off the pitch. They got booed off, by the way. I think that’s a game Rangers could have won.”
Just how good was Rangers performance?
Brazil misses the mark completely in his assessment of the game in that Rangers didn’t let Olympiacos play.
Clement got his tactical plan perfect starting with his team selection and by dropping James Tavernier.
Gelson Martins is a formidable winger; quick, tricky, powerful, the sort that has been causing the skipper problems this season.
By picking Dujon Sterling, Martins was nullified by someone quicker, more powerful and who thrives in one v one situations.
Clement tinkered with the system too, forcing Olympiacos wide and into areas where Rangers had plenty of numbers.
If they tried to attack centrally, Mohamed Diomande, Nicolas Raskin and Connor Barron would pounce.
Jack Butland had little to do because of how well organised Rangers were, not because Olympiacos were “pants”.
Should Rangers have won? Yes. But not because the hosts were a poor side as Brazil suggests.
