Brian Laudrup predicts outcome of Rangers v Braga
Brian Laudrup is confident that Rangers can win against Braga in the Europa League quarter-final clash on Thursday.
The Gers are trailing 1-0 from the first leg. Laudrup has suggested that even if they fail to progress, it will still be an “admirable achievement”.
The former Ibrox hero has warned Giovanni van Bronckhorst that the next five days could define the season and could influence the mood around the club.
Laudrup wrote for The Daily Mail (13 April; page 78): “It is difficult to overstate the importance of the next five days for Rangers. The decisions made by Giovanni van Bronckhorst – and the outcomes attained by his team – could define the season and potentially influence the mood around Ibrox for even longer.
“I actually fancy Rangers’ chances of progressing on Thursday night, but if they play well and fall short, there would be no shame in that at all. The last eight in the Europa League is still a very admirable achievement.”
Spot on
Laudrup is absolutely right to suggest that the next two games are absolutely vital for the Gers.
Rangers face Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday at Hampden Park, and they will be looking to avoid their third defeat against the Hoops this season.
Van Bronckhorst joined the club midway after Steven Gerrard left to join Aston Villa, and he did an incredible job to take Rangers this far in the European competition.
However, the league form has been poor, and that is something the Dutchman will need to rectify next season.
He needs to bring in quality players of his choice in the summer to sculpt the squad to his own taste. It’s too early to say that he is not the right man for the club, even if Rangers lose both the games in the next five days.
The Gers have beaten the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Red Star Belgrade in this competition, and they are more than capable of scoring at Ibrox and winning the tie.
In other Rangers news, Club 1872 have bought even more shares n the football club after a big revelation yesterday.