Charlie Nicholas predicts result of Rangers clash v Braga, could be over on Thursday
Charlie Nicholas has warned Rangers that they could be out of the Europa League this week if they play the same way against Braga as they did against Celtic.
Rangers were well beaten by their fierce rivals at Ibrox on Sunday to fall six points behind them in the Scottish Premiership title race with six games to go.
That essentially ends their title hopes, meaning all eyes turn to the Europa League, but Nicholas wrote in his Daily Express column that they risk elimination with a similar performance and backed Braga to win 2-0 on Thursday.
“If Rangers play against Braga like they did against Celtic then they could go out of the Europa League on Thursday,” he said.
“It could be all over in the first-leg unless there is a dramatic improvement from the weekend.
“Rangers just didn’t keep the ball and had no purpose. What will they do?
“Kemar Roofe hasn’t performed under Giovanni van Bronckhorst and I think they will go to a 5-4-1 and try to hit on the break. We know Rangers have turned on big performances in Europe.
“I tipped Braga when the draw was made and I think they could win 2-0 this week. Rangers just need to keep it alive going back to Ibrox.”
Nightmare
Nicholas is spot on in his assessment of the performance and Rangers risk a total nightmare scenario if they replicate that level on Thursday.
Braga may not be a big name like Borussia Dortmund, but they’re a very good side and just earned a big 3-2 win against Benfica in their last game and are coming off an extra two days of rest.
Rangers couldn’t keep the ball for love nor money in the first half and when they eventually woke up in the second, they struggled to create any real clear cut chances.
The absence of Alfredo Morelos is a huge blow as Roofe is simply not up to the task of replacing him, so Van Bronckhorst must find an alternative plan to get the best out of his side going forward.
So long as they don’t suffer defeat they will be confident of returning to Ibrox and finishing the job next week, but that’s easier said than done.
In other Rangers news, Kenny Miller reacts to Rangers Old Firm defeat, ‘long way back’ to title.