STAR PREVIEW Tues: Rangers v Union Saint-Gilloise

Rangers enjoyed many magical nights at Ibrox last season in the Europa League but the odds are against them making it to the Champions League, with Union Saint-Gilloise holding a 2-0 advantage after their first leg win last week.

After reaching last season’s Europa League final hopes would have been high to potentially make the Champions League this time round, but they were outclassed in Belgium last week when deservedly going down 2-0.

There can be no complaints about that result, with Rangers losing the shot count 14-6 and the xG count 1.59 – 0.86, with big defensive interventions from goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin and defender James Tavernier keeping the deficit down to 2 goals.

Last season Rangers – who are 4/6 for victory in 90 minutes tonight – twice came from behind in Ibrox second legs on their journey to the Europa League final, so it’s understandable that a better performance is expected, but they’ll have to reach an attacking level they haven’t shown so far this season.

Rangers have deserved their SPL wins against Livingston (2-1) and Kilmarnock (2-0) this season, but those wins would have been expected given that Livingston were 40 points behind Rangers last season and Kilmarnock were promoted. Rangers need to refind the form they showed in their run last season, but that may be hard with new summer singings Malik Tillman, Tom Lawrence, Antonio Colak and Ridvan Yilmaz all finding their feet whilst Alfredo Morelos was only fit enough for a place on the bench against Kilmarnock and there have been doubts about Ryan Kent’s form and fitness.

Rangers v Union Saint-Gilloise
UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round 2nd Leg
19:45 RangersTV

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
AUG 2022 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 Rangers

Union Saint-Gilloise were beaten 3-0 by Mechelen at the weekend but manager Felice Mazzu made seven changes from the XI that beat Rangers and that result won’t have much relevance here.

We can expect Giovanni van Bronckhorst to switch back to a 4-2-3-1 formation – and for the hosts to go on the front foot from the start – but there’s no appeal in backing Rangers to find a miracle result at 13/5, or to win in 90 minutes at 4/6.

Rangers have won just two of their last 15 matches by more than a two-goal margin – and those came against Sir Mirren and Dundee – so a huge comeback looks off the cards, and there will also be the danger of the visitors finding a third goal on the break as the hosts have to push forward early.

Over 2.5 Goals makes appeal at 9/10 – Rangers are stronger at home and will expect to get on the scoresheet, but last week’s goal scorers Teddy Teuma, and Dante Vanzeir will be a threat on the break and we could see a very open game.

WILLIAM KEDJANYI

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PROFIT/LOSS (AUGUST 2022): LOSS -10.12 points
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