Ally McCoist shares ‘really difficult’ Rangers prediction for Champions League clash v PSV
Rangers have a “really difficult” task on their hands in their upcoming Champions League clash against PSV, according to Ally McCoist.
The Gers will face the Dutch outfit in the Champions League play-off round, having overcome Servette 3-2 on aggregate in the third round.
Eredivisie outfit PSV meanwhile set up the clash with Rangers after defeating Austrian side Sturm Graz 7-2 across their two legs.
“It’s a really difficult task,” McCoist told TNT Sports, as transcribed by the Daily Record. “I’ll tell you why; I watched the game (v Servette) and I thought Rangers deserved to go through. Should have and probably could have won the game. It wasn’t a great first half but a better team performance in the second half.
“They knocked PSV out this time last year but I just think it’s a different PSV this time. They look stronger, they look quicker and more of a goal threat. It’s a big ask, but it’s certainly not beyond Rangers that’s for sure.”
Very tough test
Rangers made it through to the Champions League group stages last summer by defeating PSV, so that should provide the Scottish side with some confidence going into the two legs.
But it really hasn’t been the best of starts to the season from the Ibrox outfit, who began their league campaign with a 1-0 loss to Kilmarnock. The club recovered by defeating Livingston 4-0, as well as edging past Servette in the Champions League.
But things will take a huge step up against PSV, who will be extremely eager to get off to a flying start in the tie. Worryingly, the Dutch side smashed in seven goals in the third round, with Michael Beale’s men managing just three.
The financial incentives for making it through to the group stages are huge for a club like Rangers, so all focus must now be on Europe.
Fortunately, Beale can afford to rest his entire starting XI this weekend given how Rangers take on Greenock Morton in the Scottish League Cup on Saturday (19 August).
In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton has shared a Gers transfer verdict after their Scottish Premiership “eye-opener.”