Hugh MacDonald: Rangers draw v Ajax the best they can hope for
Journalist Hugh MacDonald believes that a draw is the best that Rangers can hope for ahead of their huge Champions League opener against Ajax.
The Gers are coming off a damaging Old Firm defeat to Celtic and are set to kickstart their first Champions League campaign in 12 seasons.
However, MacDonald doesn’t hold out much hope for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side as they make the trip to Amsterdam.
Talking on the PLZ Football show [42:00, 5 September] MacDonald said: “It’s a funny one because I think it’s a match that will suit Rangers as Ajax are a possession-based side which will allow Rangers to sit in and break.
“He’s got decisions to make and certainly one to make on the goalkeeper and because of the injuries he hasn’t got that much room to manoeuvre.
“We can all be consumed by one performance and one result and Rangers have recently got a result against PSV who only finished two points behind Ajax in the 2021/22 season.
“I think a draw is the best they can hope for.”
Take a point
Most Rangers fans would take a point and run now if they were offered it, especially after their horrific performance at Celtic Park on Saturday (3 September).
Furthermore, prior to their impressive win against PSV, Rangers’ away record in the Champions League has been extremely poor.
However, MacDonald is right in his assessment of the Gers’ performance against PSV and how they should take encouragement from their efforts in Eindhoven.
PSV were competing with Ajax last season and it’s fair to say that Ajax are probably a weaker side after losing the likes of Anthony and Lisandro Martinez to the Premier League.
So regardless of the Light Blues’ Old Firm result, there should still be confidence amongst fans that they can go and get a positive result on Wednesday evening (7 September).
Van Bronckhorst will be fully aware that if Rangers want to make it to the knockout stages then their home form will be the key to any success they have.
Picking up the odd point away from home and being formidable at Ibrox could stand Rangers in good stead.
In other Rangers news, this summer recruit has been highlighted as the one to watch at Ibrox when the Champions League kicks off.