Alashkert manager Alexander Grigoryan relishing Rangers clash
Alashkert manager Alexander Grigoryan is looking forward to meeting Rangers in the Europa League play-offs later this month.
The Armenian outfit have been drawn with Steven Gerrard’s men, and their boss is a fan of the Liverpool legend from his playing days in the Premier League.
Grigoryan was keeping an eye on Rangers clash with Malmo in a bid to scout his potential opposition for the Europa League qualifiers, and he was blown away by the Ibrox atmosphere.
The Alashkert boss said ahead of his side’s visit to Glasgow on August 19 (via Daily Record:): “This will be the culmination of my coaching career. Steven Gerrard is my all-time favourite footballer. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to beat him.
“I knew if we beat Kairat, we would have to play Rangers and it was a huge incentive for us. I watched their game against Malmo and the atmosphere was incredible. But we have a good atmosphere ourselves in Yerevan.
“In my opinion, if Rangers played in Russia, only Zenit St Petersburg could challenge them. But we should not underestimate ourselves. We are a good team. To defeat a team like Kairat Almaty is an amazing achievement. We will go into the game believing we can make history.”
Incredible Ibrox
Grigoryan is saying exactly the same thing every visiting manager says after the Ibrox experience.
The atmosphere spurred Rangers on during Tuesday’s game and it almost paid off in the end, but the players let us down.
There is no need crying over split milk, and we now have to look ahead and salvage what is left of our European chances this season.
Alashkert won the Armenian top-flight last season and must not be belittled.
While we remain favourites, the boys need to take both games with all seriousness and give their all to prevent an upset.
Rangers should wrap things up with an empathic victory in the first-leg, and they can be assured that the fans will get behind them once again despite the Champions League disappointment.
Gerrard and his men will target a place in the knock-out stages of the Europa League again, and while we would not be in contention to reach the final, we should look to be one of the dark horses and cause some major upsets against some of the continent’s bigwigs.
In other Rangers news, Davie Provan says Bears ace will demand exit after CL blow amid prior admission.