Andy Halliday sends ‘Massive’ Rangers message ahead of Real Betis clash
Andy Halliday has sent a message to Rangers suggesting that it will be a “massive disappointment” if they don’t qualify from their Europa League group.
The Light Blues head into their final group stage clash with Real Betis on Thursday (14 December) sitting second in their group and are guaranteed a place at least in the Europa Conference League, regardless of the result in Spain.
However, Halliday believes that it will be a huge disappointment if Philippe Clement’s side don’t reach the Europa League knockout stages, suggesting that he believed Rangers were his initial favourites to top their group.
Speaking on the Open Goal YouTube channel (12 December, 41:00) he said: “For me, it’s a massive disappointment if Rangers don’t go through the group. I think looking at the group beforehand, I would have Rangers as favourites to win it.
“Don’t get me wrong, they still can obviously with the game on Thursday but if they don’t go through for me it’s a disappointment.”
Avoid disappointment
Thursday’s clash in Betis is the first match of a potentially season-defining week at Ibrox and Rangers have to ensure that they book their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League and the only way that can be certain is by picking up all three points.
Rangers have beaten Betis once already this season, admittedly under a different manager and in front of the Ibrox crowd, but the playing side is the same and they should be heading into Thursday night’s clash full of confidence.
Whether or not the Light Blues were truly favourites to win their group before a ball was kicked this season as Halliday suggested, they are, on paper, one of the two best sides in their pool and therefore anything short of qualification will be a disappointment.
Hopefully, Clement will maintain his unbeaten start with Rangers and book the Gers’ place in the Europa League after Christmas and then follow it up with Viaplay Cup success. Anything else will be viewed as a disappointing failure and see the Belgian and his players come in for plenty of criticism.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist has fired a jibe at Celtic live on air over the latest alleged Ibrox conspiracy