Dejan Stankovic makes ‘very, very hard’ Rangers admission
The mind games have begun as Red Star Belgrade boss Dejan Stankovic tips Rangers as favourites for their Europa League clash.
The Gers host the Serbian champions at Ibrox on Thursday (March 10) for the first leg of their round of 16 tie.
Stankovic held back no praise for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s squad, claiming it will be “really, really hard” to win.
He said as per Daily Record: “I know a lot of Rangers players. I know they have a really good squad, but I don’t like singling any of them out.
“I admit I don’t know what kind of team Rangers will put out on Thursday because they have had a lot of games, just like us and they are involved in a tight championship race too.
“Rangers are very strong defensively and they are also very effective on the counter-attack as they showed against Borussia Dortmund.
“They allowed Dortmund to have a lot of the ball, but the way they counter-attacked them killed them off.
“This Europa League has thrown up a lot of surprises. Rangers weren’t expected to beat Dortmund, but they did.
“We won’t be expected to beat Rangers on Thursday, but we will try to surprise them just as they did in the last round.
“But of course, I have to be realistic and admit that considering Rangers are at home, it will be really, really hard for us.”
Nonsense
Rangers can’t afford to buy into any mind games from the Red Star boss. They are a huge club with a great team that have not long ago played in the Champions League.
They will also look to tap into their rich European history and one of a kind stadium, in the second leg, which will make this tie very difficult.
As they did against Borussia Dortmund, the Gers have to be at the very top of their game. They might not be as feared as the Germans but this is knockout football and the only thing that matters is the score line after the two legs.
Anything can happen in cup football which the Bears won’t need reminding of after knocking out one of the favourites in the last round.
The first leg is absolutely crucial with it being at Ibrox. They have to win and giving themselves some breathing space for what will be a mental game at the Marakana will be just as important.
Hopefully this season’s European escapade continues, starting on Thursday.
In other Rangers news, the Bears have been sent a Red Star Belgrade warning by Graeme Souness.