Chris Sutton makes Celtic admission as he predicts Rangers v Ajax Champions League clash
Chris Sutton predicts Rangers to kick-start their Champions League campaign with a loss against Ajax, going into the game on the back of a drubbing v Celtic.
The former Hoops striker believes Calvin Bassey can come back to haunt his former club, having left Ibrox for Amsterdam this summer.
Despite the Eredivisie side letting go of many players and manager Erik ten Hag, Sutton sees them having enough firepower to beat Ajax.
He told the Daily Mail, “Have Ajax got any players left? It felt like all I heard over the summer was how their top talents were being targeted.
“They may have lost Lisandro Martinez and Antony to Manchester United — and their manager Erik ten Hag — but this remains a club with a super track record in Europe.
“Last season they won all six group games in the Champions League and they start this campaign against a Rangers side still shaking from that 4-0 loss to Celtic on Saturday.
“I fear for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team defensively. Calvin Bassey was influential in the Rangers back line last season but he’s now an Ajax player.
“Score prediction: 2-1 to Ajax”
Chance to win
This is not the same Ajax team that went on to win all of their group stage games last season.
They’re a shadow of that side and are not even guaranteed to win their league, despite starting it with five wins in a row.
Not strengthening after the departure of key players could end up costing them and Gers have every chance of getting the win here.
They’ve proven in their Europa League and recent Champions League qualifying run that they can beat teams they’re the supposed underdogs against.
This seems to be the away fixture they’re the likeliest to win in comparison to Liverpool and Napoli.
At Ibrox, it’s a different atmosphere altogether and they can fancy their chances even against the best teams in the world.
However, they will now have to count on their travelling support and the players must ensure that they do not let the occasion get the better of them on the day.
In other Rangers news, the BBC never seem to learn their lessons as they persist with their embarrassing anti-Rangers agenda.