In the third qualifying round, Rangers unleashed what has become a trademark of theirs, tried and tested several times in the last Europa League: the comeback in front of their own home crowd at the infamous Ibrox. The 2-0 defeat in the first leg against Belgium’s Saint-Gilloise put Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men against the wall, who had to win by at least three goals to qualify for the play-offs. No problem: Tavernier and his team-mates, buoyed by an infernal cheer, made up for it with interest, and new signings Tillman and Colak also got on the scoresheet.
Everything is also going smoothly in the Premier League for the Gers, who are aiming to regain the sceptre of the Scottish top flight after being dethroned by city rivals Celtic. Four wins out of four, the last one last Saturday against St. Johnstone, who were stunned with a 4-0 victory, the best way to prepare for a fiery match against Psv Eindhoven. It is a match that puts one of the last six Champions League group stage places up for grabs, and one that Rangers missed out on in May in the Europa League final, losing on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt.
This time the Scots will have to play the return leg away from home. Which is why they cannot afford any missteps, considering the proverbial difficulties they face when playing away. The Dutch, meanwhile, have already knocked off a big name, eliminating Monaco in the previous round. After a 1-1 draw in France, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Psv got the better of the Principality’s team at the Philips Stadion with a sensational 3-2 win. A goal by former Sevilla and Barcelona striker Luuk de Jong in extra time was decisive.
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The Prediction
On paper Psv are a more complete team and have more offensive solutions than the Scots and are slight favourites in the double-header. But Ibrox is a mystical place, capable of narrowing any gap. Rangers should ultimately get a positive result in a challenge in which the Dutch will also find their way to goal.
Rangers-PSV Eindhoven
probable line-ups.
RANGERS (4-5-1): McLaughlin; Tavernier, Goldson, Sands, Yilmaz; Matondo, Kamara, Lundstram, Jack, Tillman; Colak.
PSV EINDHOVEN (4-3-3): Benitez; Hoever, Teze, Obispo, Max; Sangaré, Veerman, Til; Bakayoko, De Jong, Gakpo.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
