Rangers told to replicate Arsenal display v Bilbao in fresh Europa League verdict
Rangers are well and truly still in the tie against Bilbao, but will have to be at their best to progress into the semi-finals.
After a valiant effort in the home leg at Ibrox, Rangers enter tonight’s Europa League clash with Bilbao on level terms, which is far more than many would have expected.
This competition has often brought out the best of Rangers this season, and if they have ambitions of going even further, those standards cannot be afforded to slip even in the slightest, with Bilbao undoubtedly looking to win their first ever Europa League title.
With that in mind, the Light Blues will need to enter the clash with a specific mentality, similar to the one that brought them success at Ibrox last time out.
Kris Boyd urges Rangers to stand firm against Bilbao
Rangers will not be the favourites heading into this game, but they will be no strangers to that, having caused plenty of upsets throughout their Europa League run.
Spanish atmospheres can be intense, and Barry Ferguson’s side will have to find a way to contend with that, and Kris Boyd has urged them to fend off any early pressure in the game.
Speaking via Sky Sports News (16 April, 10:30am), he said: “I wouldn’t rule Rangers out of going through it because you know that they can be a total different team in Europe, but, once again, similar to Arsenal, they’re gonna have to defend first of all fort the first 10-15 minutes to see where that gets them the game.”
That was, of course, prior to Arsenal’s triumph over Real Madrid, in which they did exactly that.
| Stats | Rangers | Bilbao |
| Possession | 29% | 71% |
| Shots | 4 | 19 |
| Shots on target | 0 | 3 |
| Big chances | 1 | 2 |
Bilbao have shown how they can take advantage of their home atmosphere, having already secured victory there against the likes of Roma and Valencia, showcasing just how big of a task this one will be for the Light Blues.
However, if they can replicate the defensive efforts from the reverse fixture, while adding some intensity to their attacking play, they have every chance of progressing to the semi-finals.
John Souttar could prove pivotal for Rangers success
Robbin Propper will sit this game out, having been sent off in the first leg against Bilbao, opening the door for John Souttar to come back into the side after serving a suspension of his own.
He is unlikely to be the only defensive change for the Gers, with Jefte also mooted for a return to the lineup in the absence of Dujon Sterling.
Bilbao will throw everything they have at Rangers, and their task will be to deal with that early onslaught of pressure and nullify the home atmosphere.
However, they will need to show far more quality in the attacking third to have a chance of dumping the Spanish outfit out of the competition.