Rangers have been distracted this week by domestic duties, however, the Europa League returns with a trip to face Olympiacos next up on the fixture list.
On the horizon though, are two Europa League league phase games against English opposition and a trip to Old Trafford.
Philippe Clement might be lucky to still be in the dugout as Rangers manager, but there will definitely be a new Man Utd boss after Erik ten Hag was relieved of his duties.
Rangers have Ruben Amorim’s number as new Man Utd manager
Ruud van Nistelrooy might have had one eye on revenge against Rangers, instead, it is Ruben Amorim who will be getting the chance to beat the only team he couldn’t when he first stepped up into senior management.
“Ibrox baby, it’s different,” proclaimed a fresh-faced Ianis Hagi after dragging his side to victory from a seemingly hopeless 2-0 deficit.
Joe Aribo’s wonder goal was sandwiched between two Hagi efforts to send the on-form Portuguese outfit and their prodigious manager home to think again.
What Amorim said about facing Rangers before
Amorim wasn’t too happy about having to travel to Scotland as winter bordered spring, which might be a red flag as he heads to the less than tropical climes of Manchester.
Speaking to the Portuguese media about the prospect of travelling to Glasgow in 2020, the new Man Utd boss said:
“We know the pitch at Ibrox isn’t very good at the moment because of the weather conditions in Scotland.
“So, maybe that will mean we will have to adapt our usual style of play because of the state of the pitch and the conditions.
“These conditions are not good for us because it won’t help the way we like to play football.
“I know Rangers obviously because they played against Porto in the Group Stages. I watched them win at home and they also drew in Portugal which are two very good results.
“I’ll study Rangers closely in the next few days, but I do know they are a top club.
“They are a club that are used to European competition, like us. We are expecting two very tough games against Rangers. It will be very difficult for us.”
Amorim has done well in his native Portugal with Sporting Lisbon, but he will now have to prove that he can do it on a cold Tuesday night in Newcastle – seeing as Stoke City are no longer in the Premier League.
After defeat to the Red Devils in pre-season, the upcoming Europa League fixture has a new dimension, hopefully, Rangers remain one of the continent’s highest rated managerial talents’ bogey team.
