Alex Rae: Rangers handed ‘big bonus’ for EL clash v Standard Liege
Former Rangers midfielder Alex Rae has claimed that taking on Standard Liege in an empty stadium will benefit the Gers, calling Liege fans ‘the most hostile’ fans in Belgium.
The ex-St Mirren boss visited Stade Maurice Dufrasne when he was assistant manager to Alex McLeish at KRC Genk in 2014 and experienced a Standard Liege game in front of around 25,000 home fans.
Rae spoke to the Daily Record about how the Standard fans sent a message to an ex-player and how their absence will benefit Rangers.
“A big bonus for Rangers is there will be no fans there. Standard have the most hostile supporters in Belgium.
“The atmosphere was electric. Behind the goal on the right-hand side from the main stand, their ultras had made a banner that covered the whole bottom tier. It was a guy in a Michael Myers-type hockey mask, with a giant sword in one hand and [Steven] Defour’s decapitated head, blood dripping from it, in the other hand. Defour had signed for Anderlecht from Standard and this was their message to him.
“It will help Rangers that the stadium will be quiet and they’ve coped really well with playing with no fans at home and away.”
The Gers managed to progress to the group stage of the Europa League without the help of fans as they defeated Lincoln Red Imps, Willem II and Galatasaray on their way to qualifying. They also conquered Celtic last weekend in front of an empty stadium which shows that the Gers haven’t been impacted by the absence of fans so far this season.
Rangers take outstanding European and domestic form into the game against Liege as they are yet to lose this season. In Europe, the Gers have only conceded one goal while managing to score 11 in their three outings so far.
Liege drew their last game against Club Brugge and they currently sit fourth in the Belgian first division so the Gers could be in for a tricky test when they take on the Belgian side on Thursday. Though Steven Gerrard’s side are still yet to lose this season and they will want to maintain that unbeaten record.
In other Rangers news, ‘By the looks of it…’ – O’Neill makes Rangers-Celtic title prediction after Gers win Old Firm.