By Peter Lynch

21st Sep, 2023 | 8:10am

Rangers fans patiently await one of two Real Betis sides to show up at Ibrox after Barcelona thrashing

Rangers supporters have been very vocal this season in every sense of the word, showing their true colours as they always do.

But the approach that the Gers fans must take for their club’s next clash is one of strong support for their manager and his players.

The Scottish giants host Spanish outfit Real Betis in their Europa League opener on Thursday (21 September), with all three points the only thing capable of keeping manager Michael Beale above water.

Rangers have been nowhere near their best so far this season, epitomised by the miserable defeats to PSV and Celtic in Champions League qualifying and the Scottish Premiership respectively.

In some positive news, however, Real Betis have not been in top form either, with the club sitting 10th in La Liga after just two wins from their five matches.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side also have one draw and two losses to their name, and head to Ibrox on the back of one of those losses. But that was no ordinary loss, with the club smashed 5-0 by giants Barcelona on Saturday (16 September).

It means that one of two Real Betis sides will show up for their upcoming Europa League test at Ibrox; one that is bereft of confidence and are there for the taking, or one that is ready to bounce back and will therefore be full of life.

In other words, Rangers are either facing the club at the best time or the worst time. One certainty either way is that the Ibrox faithful will be ready to bring the noise.

In other Rangers news, a BBC journalist was wowed by one Gers ace after his Man of the Match display against St Johnstone.