Ally McCoist predicts Rangers Champions League second leg clash v PSV
Ally McCoist believes Dutch outfit PSV remain “slight favourites” in their Champions League qualifying tie with Rangers.
The two clubs played out a 2-2 draw in their play-off first leg meeting at Ibrox on Tuesday (22 August), with the second leg taking place next Wednesday (30 August).
Abdallah Sima and Rabbi Matondo scored for the home side, with Ibrahim Sangare and Luuk de Jong netting for the visitors.
“They’re a good team,” McCoist said live on talkSPORT. “They are very good, they’re better than they were last year. It’s a big ask for Rangers to go over there, but they’ve given themselves a chance.”
Host Alan Brazil then asked: “So you make PSV strong favourites now?”
McCoist replied: “I’m not sure I’d go strong. Like before the tie, I had them slight favourites, and nothing has changed my mind there.”
Tough test
The Rangers players can hold their heads high following their thrilling draw with the Dutch giants, even if they did twice throw away a lead on the night in front of their home fans. But their opponents are a quality team with quality players, who constantly attacked the Rangers defenders.
But the Gers also had their chances, and could have even won the first leg if not for some fine goalkeeping from PSV shot-stopper Walter Benitez.
Rangers manager Michael Beale can now afford to rest several key men when his side travel to Ross County in Scottish Premiership action on Saturday (26 August).
League points should still be among his priorities, but the boss has a big and strong enough squad now to be able to chop and change his starting XI and still come out on top.
Gers fans created a superb atmosphere for the match at Ibrox, a situation that is likely to be repeated by PSV fans in Eindhoven next week.
In other Rangers news, a BBC pundit has slammed a Gers player who “got out of jail” against PSV.