Celtic legend and Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has predicted that Rangers will suffer defeat in their Europa League opener against Villarreal on Thursday.
Rangers travel to Spain to take on a Yellow Submarines side who have struggled at the start of this season, however the former Scotland international still feels they’ll have too much for the Glasgow giants.
“Rangers are unconvincing,” he wrote on the Sky Sports website. “At home they are definitely improving under Steven Gerrard. A lot of people are unsure but I am convinced they are improving, it is just early stages for them.
“They are very good technically, always have pace up front, and I think Rangers will struggle in this group, starting with a defeat. I am going Villarreal to win 2-0, high in discipline with Rangers struggling to sort theirs out at the moment.”
OPINION
It’s not a bad prediction from Nicholas, is it? Rangers have made great strides under Gerrard already, but Villarreal are an established European side so going to their place and winning is a tall order for anyone. Gers fans can take comfort in the fact that Villarreal are sitting 14th in La Liga after a mediocre start to the season, but it will still take a monumental effort for Gerrard’s players to get anything from this game. That’s no slight on the Ibrox side, it’s just that this is year one in what will be a transitional period under a first time coach in Gerrard. It’s going to take time for them to be at the level to challenge the Villarreal’s of this world, so supporters shouldn’t be too crestfallen if their team comes away from this game with nothing. 2-0 is probably about right, although Rangers are certainly capable of nicking a goal. It’ll be tough night for Gers whatever happens, though.