Ally McCoist identifies ‘weakest’ PSV area ahead of Rangers Champions League clash
Ally McCoist believes that Rangers will have to take advantage of the PSV defence, naming it the weakest part of their line-up.
Michael Beale’s side travel to the Netherlands for the second leg of their Champions League play-off with the Dutch giants on Wednesday 30 August with the tie firmly in the balance after the 2-2 draw at Ibrox in the opening leg.
Despite the Light Blues’ success over the same opposition at this stage of the competition last season, McCoist believes Beale’s side will have to be patient to reach the group stage of the competition, as previous results won’t benefit them too much.
Speaking to TNT Sport on Wednesday (30 August) the Rangers legend said: “Last year has to be an inspiration for Rangers. It will definitely give them a degree of hope. The two centre-backs, Andre Ramalho and Olivier Boscagli, are good footballers but they take chances and I think there’s a mistake in the goalkeeper Walter Benitez too.
“PSV are very attack-minded and they play to their strengths. I fully expect them to be on the front foot like last season. It’s important that Rangers are organised and defend well and Jack Butland will have to have a good night.”
Take advantage
Rangers will be disappointed to not be heading into the second leg with a lead having twice been ahead at Ibrox, but their home performance displayed that they are more than capable of matching this PSV team, even if they are stronger than last season.
Beale has invested heavily at the top end of the pitch and the expectation and hope would be that the new strikers at his disposal will have the ability to cause the “weak” backline of PSV plenty of problems assuming they hurry them throughout the game.
To be successful in Europe you have to be clinical and occasionally this Rangers team don’t put away enough of their chances when they do come. If they are wasteful tonight, reaching the Champions League group stages will become a lot harder.
However, there will be a level of arrogance (hopefully not too much) in the side because of last season’s success. They have shown they are more than capable of competing at Europe’s top table and are better than the Europa League.
Hopefully, the Gers will harness that positivity and find a way to beat PSV once more.
In other Rangers news, one pundit has accused Rangers of not knowing how to play football