It’s showtime again in the Europa League as we enter the business end of the competition.
Rangers take on Slavia Prague on Thursday night and the Czech champions represent difficult opposition.
Steven Gerrard’s side travel east fresh from celebrating their Scottish Premiership triumph and there can be no hangovers from their title party at the weekend.
Slavia will be Rangers’ toughest opposition in the UEFA tournament so far this season and it is poised to be an intriguing tie.
Here’s how our writers expect the last-16, first-leg tie to shake down...
Keith Jackson
Rangers have looked sensational on their travels this season and there’s no reason to suspect any different in Prague. A score draw would represent a terrific first leg result but Steven Gerrard and his players could very well go one better.
Slavia Prague 1 Rangers 2
David McCarthy
There have been some thrilling European encounters this season and this won’t be any different, with two attack-minded teams going for it. Gerrard’s men have been outstanding on the road and can snatch the goals that will put them in the driving seat to reach the last eight.
Slavia Prague 2 Rangers 2
Scott McDermott
The noises coming out of the Slavia camp is that they’re planning a repeat of the game-plan which sent Leicester City spinning out of the Europa League. That means keeping it tight in the first-leg and not conceding - before sucking Rangers in at Ibrox and hurting them on the counter attack. They’re a dangerous outfit but so are Steven Gerrard’s side, who will be so high on confidence after the weekend. I think they can nick a goal in Prague and set up a cracker in Glasgow.
Slavia Prague 1 Rangers 1
Craig Swan
Rangers’ ability to score on their travels is key and can ensure they get a positive result in the Czech Republic to take back to Ibrox. A scoring draw looks within reach.
Slavia Prague 1 Rangers 1
Fraser Wilson
The tests just keep getting bigger for Rangers as you’d expect the deeper they progress into the competition. Slavia are running away with the Czech title and are scoring goals for fun. It’ll take another monumental performance but with confidence surging right through this Rangers side they can produce enough to take a very handy score draw back to Ibrox and give themselves a fantastic chance of reaching the quarter finals.
Slavia Prague 1 Rangers 1
Gabriel McKay
Slavia were rock solid at the back in the first half of the season but they’ve been leaky of late and Rangers can be confident of getting a crucial away goal. The Czechs are formidable at home though - they haven’t lost on their own patch since November 2019.
Slavia Prague 2 Rangers 1
