‘Really unfortunate’ – Exclusive: McLeish reacts to early Rangers team news v Benfica
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 said it will be “really unfortunate” if Ryan Jack misses out on the Europa League game against Benfica tonight.
He also said that he thinks the game could end up in a draw tonight with Rangers looking to protect their defence more.
Rangers are currently top of the group with Benfica on the same seven points. Lech Poznan have three points in third and Standard Liege have lost all three games.
Jack is facing a late fitness test ahead of the game, as confirmed by Gerrard is his pre-match press conference.
Talking exclusively to Ibrox News Mcleish said, “If Ryan Jack is out it’s really unfortunate for Rangers. But he’s played a lot of football, the Scotland games as well.
“He was very influential at the weekend. It will be a real pity if Jack is out for a while but Steven has a very able replacement in Glen Kamara.
“The game will be tough. Rangers will start favourites. but I’m always wary of European opponents. On their day they’re very good manipulators of the ball.
“If they click on the day, and Benfica are a big name so they’ll be expected to cause trouble, it’s going to be a dangerous game for Rangers.
“I can see it being a draw. That would almost be enough to get both teams through and I think Rangers will be looking to keep it tight.
“I don’t think Rangers will go helter-skelter. They’ll carry on in the manner they’ve been playing but maybe protect the backline a bit more.”
In his pre-match press conference, Gerrard actually said that Rangers would put their foot to the floor and try to secure qualification early.
That would take a huge amount of pressure off the side with fixtures coming thick and fast now, and no winter break.
In other news, ‘Hang on’ – McCoist delivers hilarious reaction to odds of Celtic beating Sparta Prague