Rangers sent stark warning by Braga man ahead of Europa League clash
Former Braga goalkeeper Artur Moraes has sent Rangers a stark warning ahead of their Europa League quarter-final doubleheader.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side will be eager to extend their brilliant European run having beat Borussia Dortmund and Red Star Belgrade on route to the last eight.
The Brazilian claimed the Portuguese outfit are good enough to beat anyone as the two sides go head-to-head at the Braga Municipal Stadium on Thursday [April 7].
He told Daily Record: “I think anything is possible. Braga gave a fantastic demonstration of what they are capable of in this last round against Monaco.
“So they are good enough to beat anyone and go to the final.
“Back in 2011, no one believed we were capable of reaching the final and it’s the same now – they are being written off.
“Then, we took advantage of that by getting to the final because we were underestimated. Why can’t they reach the final or even go on to win it now too?
“Regardless of the opponent Rangers, the most important thing is for Braga to think of only themselves and to play a consistent game at home and to get a good result to take to Glasgow.
“If they do that, they have already shown they can defend a lead as they did in Monaco.”
Block out the noise
It doesn’t matter what anyone from the Braga camp says, Rangers will not be fazed.
In all honesty, they should have been dumped out of the competition in the round of 16 against Dortmund but they have already proven countless times this season in Europe that being the favourites doesn’t matter.
Anything can happen over 180 minutes of football and the Light Blues will be taking huge confidence from how well they have done in the Europa League so far.
The Gers have to be careful though. Their impressive displays are likely to make them the favourites for this encounter and they must block out that noise having benefitted from being the underdogs for the most part on their journey to the quarter-final.
For now, though, all attention turns to Sunday [April 3] and the Scottish Premiership and the Bears aim to close the gap on league leaders Celtic in the Old Firm at Ibrox.
In other Rangers news, Josh Ginnelly names Ryan Kent in the top three opponents he has ever faced.