Daniel Feliciano

Wed 18 May 2022 16:10, UK

Paul Parker doesn’t believe Amad Diallo will start for Rangers in the Europa League final despite his recent form, but thinks they will win the cup.

Rangers take on Frankfurt in the final tonight [May 18] and head into the clash as underdogs. But the manager has rested players in recent league games ahead of this huge tie, with loanee Amad shining and pushing for a starting spot.

The talkSPORT pundit was speaking to indiabetting.co.in ahead of the game and while he admitted that he doesn’t expect the Ivorian to get the nod from Giovanni van Bronckhorst from the start, he does think they have a ‘very good chance’ of winning the tournament.

“I just got a funny feeling that Rangers could win it. They are quite a dynamic team. They got plenty of goalscorers, something that West Ham didn’t have, and it’s a one-off game, no two legs. They’ve been fantastic Rangers in what they’ve done.“

“They got some really, really good players Rangers. I just got a funny feeling looking at Frankfurt, I just got a funny feeling, especially, I think it may depend on their key defender Martin Hinteregger being out. So they could be struggling. He’s a big miss for them. I just think Rangers, cause of the way they are all action. The only thing they are not having is maybe that European experience.”

“It makes it quite open, but I quite like Rangers. Just how dynamic they are, they changed a little bit, and I’m sure Steven Gerrard must be gutted that Rangers are in the final. Can you imagine adding that to your CV, if they go and win that as well?”

“I don’t think Amad Diallo will start. He has struggled, I think with physicality and everything else about playing. He did score on his debut I think. I think it’s been a bit of a struggle, because really every time Rangers play games, especially away from home and on some of the grounds, it was a bit of a wake up call for him. From where he’s coming from I think it was a tough time for him. “

“It’s difficult in Scotland. It’s a two-horse league, you talk about crowds and everything that goes with it. It’s a difficult one which I think maybe in a long term would have served him well but I don’t know if he has had a lot of it football-wise. “

“But, he won’t start in the final, he won’t start. But we do have to believe as well that Rangers have got a very good chance of winning that game. Winning that game against Frankfurt. “

Funny feeling

That funny feeling that Parker mentioned is something that almost all, if not all, Rangers fans have got ahead of the huge game with Frankfurt.

It’s been a rollercoaster of a season and a crazy European campaign in general, but the level of performance the team have turned in on the continent has been nothing short of exceptional.

With just 90 minutes separating them from the trophy, it seems impossible to look past them despite the level of opposition they’re coming up against in the Bundesliga outfit.

But there is real belief among everyone that they can do it. They have the quality, they have the heart, they have the support and the manager knows what he is doing too.

Not starting Amad is the right decision based on the season so far, but the manager knows he can call upon an in-form ace from the bench if needs be and he must be ready to deliver if necessary.

In other Rangers news, Alan Hutton predicts result of Rangers v Frankfurt Europa League final clash