Tam McManus casts doubt over Rangers chances in second leg v PSV Eindhoven
Tam McManus feels Rangers’ away form in the Champions League could prove to be costly to their chances of getting a positive result against PSV Eindhoven next week.
Goals from Antonio Colak and Tom Lawrence were not enough for the Gers as the Dutch side scored two set-piece goals, meaning the tie is level heading to the Philips Stadion.
McManus has suggested that PSV’s strong home record now means their favourites to qualify for the group stage of the competition.
Talking on the PLZ Football Show (17 August, 4:16), McManus said: “I think Rangers are up against it a little bit now.
“PSV are strong at home, you look at their home record and it’s been a long time since Rangers won away from home in the Champions League.
“I think that PSV are now favourites.”
Big performance needed
The Eredivisie side are clearly the favourites to qualify for the group stage, however, it’s important to remember that Rangers caused them plenty of problems at Ibrox on Tuesday (16 August).
Towards the end of the first half, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side looked completely in control and were potentially unlucky not to be ahead going into the interval.
Ryan Kent in particularly was making life hard for the PSV right back and he could be crucial in any success that the Gers have when they make the trip to Eindhoven next week.
Furthermore, Antonio Colak’s goal demonstrated Rangers’ ability to carve open the Dutch side.
There are positives to take from the display, however, PSV clearly have some exciting players who will be able to hurt Rangers.
Cody Gakpo needs to be marked and controlled far better than he was on Tuesday, with the versatile attacker one of the Dutch side’s main threats.
If van Bronckhorst can work out a way of negating Gakpo then Rangers stand a good chance.
Potentially sitting deeper and trying to catch PSV on the counterattack could be the way to go for van Bronckhorst and Rangers.
In other Rangers news, Ross Wilson now has names lined up just in case Alfredo Morelos seals his exit this summer