Michael Stewart shares Rangers v Servette verdict live on BBC in Champions League
Michael Stewart has predicted Rangers to get the victory in their Champions League tie against Servette, claiming they are the better side and are more than capable of getting a result.
The BBC pundit shared his view that Rangers proved they were the better side in the first leg, where they ran out as 2-1 victors at Ibrox after scoring two early goals to set themselves up nicely going into the reverse fixture.
Rangers will visit the Stade de Geneve in Switzerland, which has been sold out for the huge game, and it was suggested that their performance at Ibrox dropped off after they came under pressure following the penalty conceded.
Speaking on BBC Sportscene [57:00], Stewart stated: “It [Rangers’ performance in the first leg] was a little bit lacking in energy as the performance went on.
“For me, seeing that first leg, Rangers are a better side than Servette, but they just need to go out there and show it. They’re more than capable of getting the result they need to get to see themselves through to the next round.”
A hill they should overcome
Rangers will now travel to Switzerland with the weight of expectation on their shoulders, as they look to turn their first-leg victory into a convincing result over the two-legged tie and propel themselves into the next qualifying round where they’ll face a difficult tie against either PSV Eindhoven or Sturm Graz.
Michael Beale came under pressure following their opening-day defeat to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership, but that pressure has eased slightly after a first-leg victory over Servette and a convincing 4-0 demolition of Livingston at Ibrox.
Another win against Servette to see them through to the next Champions League knockout round would do the club no harm, as they look to put themselves in the best position to reach the group stages of the tournament, following a summer of heavy investment.
In the victory over Livingston, new signings Sam Lammers, Danilo, Abdallah Sima and Kieran Dowell all scored their first domestic goals for the club, and will now be hoping to carry their attacking form into the rest of the season.
In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton has delivered his verdict on Rangers v Livingston.