‘Smashing run’ – Rangers Exclusive: Alex McLeish delivers Europa verdict ahead of Lincoln clash
We’re delighted to welcome former Rangers manager Alex McLeish as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Alex McLeish has claimed that Rangers’ “smashing” Europa League run last season will set them in “good stead” for continental success this time around.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, the former Gers boss suggested that Steven Gerrard has really stressed the importance of European competition to his current squad in Glasgow.
Rangers kick-off their Europa League journey with a trip to Gibraltar to face Lincoln Red Imps on Thursday afternoon.
The semi-professional side made headlines in 2016 when they humbled Celtic in shock 1-0 victory.
But McLeish believes that the Gers’ recent experience of going far in the competition will help them to ease past their opposition.
Speaking to Ibrox News, he said: “I believe that the run they had in Europe will set them in good stead.
“They come into this game with that momentum. They will know how good that felt, the smashing run in Europe. They went further than anybody thought would have been possible, and they gave a good show in Europe. They’ll want that again.
“When I was in Belgium, the Belgians were very, very big on qualification for Europe and the Europa League, and getting as far in the competition as they could. Sometimes it seemed more important than the league, which was quite different to Scotland.
“But I think Steven Gerrard has given them that mentality. Again, the last couple of days he’s been stressing how important this European run is going to be.”
Rangers reached the last 16 of the Europa League last season, crashing out to Bayer Leverkusen in a 4-1 aggregate defeat.
They had to wait until August to conclude that tie, however, with the Coronavirus pandemic bringing a halt to professional sport shortly after the first leg was played at Ibrox in March.
In other Rangers news, the Gers have a player-plus-cash deal on the cards, club ready to swap centre-mid & forward.