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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

Rangers 'combat warriors' are one of the best teams about as Frankfurt boss blown away by Europa League finalists

Impressed Oliver Glasner expects Rangers to test his Eintracht Frankfurt side to their limits in the Europa League Final.

The Bundlesiga side have excelled in Europe this season but know they are facing a team who are experts in disposing of German clubs.

Dortmund were well beaten in the last 32 and Glasner admits he's never witnessed a team dominate RB Leipzig the way Rangers did for much of their semi final second leg.

And the wary Frankfurt boss has told his players they will be taking on combat specialists when they duel in Seville on Wednesday night.

He said: “They have eliminated two Bundesliga clubs, Dortmund and Leipzig

"And their wins were fully deserved. In fact, I haven't seen Leipzig in such big trouble as they were in the first-half of the second leg game against Rangers in Glasgow.

“They are incredibly strong in one-on-one combat, they break up front rapidly and bring the ball quickly into the penalty area.

Glasner knows Rangers are the real deal (Getty Images)

"They are very flexible with their formation, switch from three chain to five chain or also use the four chain in the build-up.

"They have a very structured approach to the game. It's going to be a 50-50 game. Both teams deserve to be in the final.”

Nothing is set in stone but it's likely Rangers will use their final Premiership match against Hearts to give fringe men a chance ahead of the big one.

However, that approach will not be replicated by Glasner's men who hope rivals Mainz do them a favour over their style of player after a midweek request.

He added: “Right now, it’s like preparing for passing your A-levels.

“There is no sense in learning all day in the very last remaining days before the tests. It is important to relax and not to get too tense. You are either prepared or you’re not prepared.

“We should stick to our plans and strengths. We mustn't cramp up. The players have had two days off so they can be in a good state of mind. They have recovered well.

“Now, though, we start the countdown to the final. We won't rotate against Mainz (Eintracht play their local rivals away in their final Bundesliga game on Saturday) because our players have to be in the rhythm.

“We want to use the Mainz game as a dress rehearsal. I haven’t called Bo (Mainz manager Svensson) and said: ‘Can you please impersonate the Rangers?’.

"But the focus is on Seville. We're all really looking forward to this final.”

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