Sir Kenny Dalglish: Allan McGregor must be ‘extraordinary’ for Rangers to get a result v Liverpool
Sir Kenny Dalglish says Allan McGregor must be “incredible” for Rangers if they’re to get a result against Liverpool in the Champions League.
The Gers travel to Anfield on Tuesday night for their third group game of the tournament, having been handily beaten by Ajax and Napoli already this season.
But while Liverpool are not at their best, Scotland legend Dalglish wrote in his Sunday Post column [2 October] that he believes Rangers will be underdogs for the game and will need an inspired performance from their goalkeeper to stand a chance of anything resembling success in the game.
“What the final score is isn’t important,” he said. “For Jurgen, it’s all about getting the points in the bag. But you cannot rule Rangers out completely, that’s for sure.
“They have had some terrific results in the past few years away from home in Europe.
“The one that sticks out was over in Germany last season against Borussia Dortmund. Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his players produced something very special that night.
“It will take a performance even more extraordinary to repeat it at Anfield.
“The starting point for that would have to be Allan McGregor having an incredible game. He’s produced breathtaking displays over the years, and he’d need to do it again.
“That’s usually the case when an underdog takes on a heavy favourite.
“You need your goalie to make four or five top saves, and for the opposition forwards to be a wee bit wasteful in front of goal. It’s then a case of trying to nick something at the other end.”
Quality
There is a gulf in quality between these two sides on paper, no doubt, but Rangers have got plenty of heart and a point to prove in this game.
After the way the first two games of the season in this tournament went, they will be eager to prove they deserve to be in the competition and can hang with the best teams.
Liverpool have hardly been on fire going into the game and Rangers seemed to get back on track against Hearts with a dominant and ruthless display in front of goal, so there should be some hope there that they can get a result.
With that said if everything clicks for Liverpool and Rangers aren’t at their best then they could well be on their way to a hiding and that simply isn’t acceptable again.
It’s a balancing act at this point, but they must be confident they can get a result otherwise they definitely won’t.
In other Rangers news, Michael Owen believes “cheating” could be the best route to victory for Rangers v Liverpool