Rangers could landed unexpected Europa League boost – report
Rangers could be about to receive an unexpected Europa League boost from Belgian side Royal Antwerp.
According to the Daily Record, manager Ivan Leko is attracting some serious interest from China.
It is being claimed that Leko has been offered a big-money deal in the Far East and Antwerp are unlikely to put up a fight if teams are to come in for his services.
Marc Wilmots, the former manager of the Belgian national team has been earmarked as an early potential replacement for Leko.
The report claims that Wilmots could be in charge by the time the game in the last 32 comes around next year.
Disruption can only be good for Rangers
Antwerp have struggled for any kind of consistency this season and have won just two in their last six games across all competitions.
The Belgian side’s form has been so poor, they have only managed to keep one clean sheet in their last 10 fixtures.
Leko’s squad currently sit seventh in the Belgian Pro League and are outside of the European qualification spots as things stand.
The potential disruption that could come with a new manager is the polar opposite to the form that Rangers have shown this season, with the Gers the image of consistency.
Steven Gerrard’s men have only lost once in all competitions this season and their shock defeat to St Mirren was soon put right with a convincing performance against Motherwell.
If the club can continue in that form and take some of that momentum into the game against Antwerp, it could be used as a major advantage.
By the time the Europa League game rolls around, Gerrard and Rangers will be hoping to avoid any potential ‘new manager bounce’, with the Belgian side struggling to replicate their previous success.
In other Rangers news, ‘All the nonsense’ – Journalist suggests Gerrard no longer trusts Rangers star