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Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

What the RB Leipzig vs Rangers pundits predict as Charlie Nicholas becomes surprise Europa League cheerleader

The pundits have had their say as Rangers prepare to face RB Leipzig in their Europa League first leg.

It's a mammoth task for Gio van Bronckhorst's men as they look to see off the Bundesliga's in-form side and reach the Seville showpiece.

Despite going into the clash as underdogs, Rangers have shown they are more than capable of taking on a club from Europe's big five leagues after their win over Borussia Dortmund.

However, not all the pundits see it that way.

Domenico Tedesco's side have a wealth of expensive talent at their disposal and have impressed in Germany this season, sitting fourth in the table and reaching the German Cup final.

It's a game that has gone everyone talking and Record Sport puts the hot takes in focus ahead of Thursday's clash.

Michael Owen

Former England striker Michael Owen reckons the Premiership champions face a tough night at the RB Arena.

Owen told BetVictor : "Rangers have done brilliantly to get this far and will travel to Germany with some confidence. They beat Dortmund in Germany earlier this season, so they know they can get the job done.

"Leipzig have been in very good form both domestically and in Europe, this won’t be easy. Rangers will need to keep Nkunku quiet, he’s got 30 goals this season.

"I think Leipzig will win, but I can see Rangers getting a goal. I’m leaning towards a 2-1 Leipzig win."

Charlie Nicholas

Former Celtic star Charlie Nicholas surprisingly backed Gio van Bronckhorst to take a result back to Ibrox.

Writing in Express, Nicholas said: "I can see Rangers getting a draw with RB Leipzig in Thursday's Europa League semi-final first leg - and that should provide hope coming back from Germany.

"But the Ibrox return might be a game too far with Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Aaron Ramsey out.

"Fashion Sakala and Amad Diallo have pace, but Rangers still look short up front. Scott Wright came to the fore in the weekend win at Motherwell that kept them fighting in the Premiership.

"Rangers have good character, with Steven Davis again proving he is the man for the big occasion. But Leipzig are a top side and Christopher Nkunku, above, looks their biggest threat.

"He has blistering speed and is technically very good. I'm surprised he hasn't secured a big move yet. Still, I think Rangers will nick a 1-1 draw to take back to Ibrox."

Craig Moore

For former Ibrox defender Craig Moore, it was all about the formation.

He concedes Rangers could be in for a long night if Gio van Bronckhorst doesn't get his selection exactly right.

Moore told the Go Radio Football Show: "The one thing Sakala offers is pace and therefore the ability to stretch teams defensively to make those runs in behind. That's a threat at any level.

"Sakala is probably the most likely option unless they use the false 9, someone a little bit deeper.

"That potentially could happen, especially away from home. Rangers need to be well organised, nice and compact.

"It could potentially be someone like Scott Arfield, who did it at the weekend (against Motherwell) in that false 9 position.

"It keeps the team nice and compact, and it's important that when you get opportunities, there's enough support in that transition otherwise it's a long night with waves of attack.

"Rangers can't afford that game plan."

Kris Boyd

Kris Boyd is already looking to the second leg, and is hoping for a positive score to take back to Govan.

He reckons that bigger sides that Leipzig have flopped in front in the roaring Ibrox crowd.

He told Sky Sports: “Going away from home in Europe, you do need a striker to hold it in and get you up the pitch.

“Sakala, from a wide area, can cause problems. When you look at Rangers so far this season, Ryan Kent has come in between the midfield and strikers as that false nine as such, off of Roofe or Morelos.

(SNS Group)

“There’s a flexibility within Rangers to do whatever they want to do. Scott Wright will be another one who will say he’s got the claim to start.

“Then you look to bringing in a Steven Davis in the middle of the pitch, so do you play Aribo as the false nine? There’s many permutations that Giovanni van Bronckhorst will have to work out which is the best one over the next couple of days.

“But the most important thing for Rangers is to go over and out on a performance that allows them to bring Leipzig back to Ibrox and get that crowd behind them

“No disrespect to Leipzig but we’ve seen bigger clubs and better teams crumble in front of a massive crowd. If Rangers can keep themselves in the tie until that second leg, then they've got an opportunity.”

Michael Stewart

BBC Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart reckons Rangers' Europa League experience this season could be vital.

He points to the second leg being a key factor in the run to the semi-final, adding: “Leipzig are no mugs.

“You look at the teams that Rangers have already put out of the competition this season, and there are no reasons why they shouldn’t go to Leipzig and believe they can’t get something from it and keep the tie alive, that’s the key thing for me as well.

“You look at the rounds that Rangers have been through, they’ve had that away leg first, with the home leg second which can be a real benefit.

“If they go to Germany and make sure the tie is still alive, then the second leg at Ibrox will be decisive.”

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