Charlie Nicholas makes prediction for crunch Rangers clash with Dortmund
Charlie Nicholas says Rangers must avoid conceding the first goal in their second leg against Borussia Dortmund or face ‘panic’ at Ibrox in the Europa League.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side were rampant at the Westfalstadion, leaving Germany with a 4-2 win although away goals, unfortunately, don’t count.
Nicholas, who was writing in his Daily Express column via The Daily Record, said that while this tie is not over he does expect Rangers to progress
“Rangers got a great 4-2 win against Borussia Dortmund in Germany but this tie is not over,” he said.
“Star striker Erling Haaland will be back after injury and the Germans will cause a bit of panic if they score first at Ibrox.
“Rangers’ European reputation is strong, though, and I think they will sneak into the last 16 of the Europa League.”
Monumental tie
This is a game that is absolutely huge for the status of Rangers as a football club now and going forward.
That may seem like a stretch, but this is a club that ten years ago were in administration and got forced down the divisions.
Yet now they’re on the verge of progression into the last 16 of the Europa League with a victory against Champions League regulars and Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund under their belt.
Nicholas is spot on that an early goal or first goal for the German side will cause panic at Ibrox, but the fans will be right up for the challenge of turning it around if they need to.
They’d rather be singing along to yet another victory, but the home advantage is a big momentum swinger for the Light Blues and they’re rightly the favourites to progress to the next round with Nicholas.
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