Former Red Star Belgrade boss Milorad Kosanovic amazed by Rangers
Red Star Belgrade need to learn from Rangers who are the “cream of the Europa League” and certain to advance says their former boss Milorad Kosanovic.
Gers came away from the first leg with a 3-0 advantage in the last-16 tie, with the visitors extremely unlucky to get nothing from it, but their two-time ex-manager was blown away by the Glasgow crowd, and the quality of the hosts play.
A James Tavernier penalty was followed by goals from Alfredo Morelos and Leon Balogun, while Red Star had the ball in the net three times but were narrowly offside every time.
The Serb said, via The Scottish Sun: “They belong to the cream of the Europa League.
“Just look at their stadium. The noise, the atmosphere, full stands and fans singing for 90 minutes. It was a pleasure to watch the game.
“We get nothing like that in Serbia. We need to learn from it.
“They have to give it a go, but they will be up against an opponent who plays good football, won’t cry and doesn’t cheat.
“In Serbia, Red Star and Partizan play against teams who are clearly not good enough and that’s why they get such a shock at the upgrade of opposition when they play in Europe.
“Both Red Star and Partizan are really weak defensively.
“We Serbians have a higher opinion of our game than is realistic.”
Glowing assessment
It is hard to see how the 71-year-old could be more impressed with the Light Blues following the first leg.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side were excellent but there was not much between a one-sided victory and and a high scoring back and forth battle.
Had Allan McGregor not produced such a strong penalty save, and one or two of the offside situations been a few inches the other way then things would be much tighter.
And considering the reputation that the Marakana in Belgrade has as a fearsome destination for away sides, Ibrox certainly acquitted itself well to have Kosanovic deem the two experiences incomparable.
The tie is far form over though because, as he acknowledges, the Serbians clearly have the ability to score goals.
They could have easily had five in Glasgow, with another long-range pile-driver coming back off the Gers bar, so Morelos and co. are likely to need to score again.
If they can add to their run of winning early penalties in every knock-out game so far that would put them in a very strong position.
In other Rangers news, former boss Steven Gerrard has weighed in on the title-race.