‘Absolute banker’ – Owen Hargreaves makes Rangers Europa League prediction
Owen Hargreaves believes Rangers are ‘punching way above their weight’, but has backed them to make the Europa League final this season.
The Bears made it to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2008 with a 4-2 aggregate win over Red Star this week, and have been drawn against SC Braga in the last eight.
If they win that tie, they will face the winner of Atalanta and RB Leipzig’s tie and BT Sport pundit Hargreaves believes that Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side will be fancying themselves to make it to the final at least.
“The Rangers fans will be absolutely delighted,” he said, as quoted by Scottish Sun. “Honestly, they’ll fancy themselves.
“They’ve been brilliant in this competition and I think they’ll win against Braga.
“Forget about playing Barcelona and West Ham. You want to face those teams in the final. I genuinely believe they can do the job against Braga and get onto a semi-final. Then you are right in there.
“They are punching way above their weight and credit to them – Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and his players.
“I think they could be a surprise finalist – honestly. West Ham and Rangers to make the semi-finals? Yes. An absolute banker.”
“Obviously you’ve got to respect Braga but Rangers have been so good in the competition. They’ll get into the next round.”
Why not?
Once you’re into the last eight, then anything can happen. Especially in Europe, and without doubt when the second leg takes place at Ibrox.
Van Bronckhorst’s style has taken well in Europe, with ten goals scored over four games against Borussia Dortmund and Red Star so far and they will feel confident with their attacking power they can do the same to Braga.
The two sides previously met in 2020 with Ianis Hagi inspiring a comeback 3-2 win in the second half of their last 32 tie.
Should they be successful again against Braga, they will face a very stern test against one of two sides that dropped out of the Champions League this season.
But having already beaten Dortmund this season, and handily too, they will fear nobody. There is a huge chance for this group of players to make history, and Hargreaves is backing them to do it.
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