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Rangers
They may be SPL heavyweights, but the Scottish league winners face a stern test in the Champions League...
STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
Like many teams in the Champions League, Rangers are well equipped to dominate their domestic league, but are worryingly short on quality to mount any serious challenge in European football’s premier competition.
Kenny Miller will shoulder most of the responsibility in terms of goalscoring alongside new signing James Beattie, while the experience of 40-year-old David Weir will be invaluable alongside a relatively young defence.
STARS & KEY PLAYER
Possibly key to Rangers’ hopes of progressing through the group stages in Allan McGregor. The Scotland goalkeeper will be one of the busiest stoppers in the competition, and will need to be on top form against the likes of Manchester United, and in particular, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.
COACH & TACTICAL
In Walter Smith, Rangers have a manager with a wealth of experience. Having lead the Scottish giants for a total of ten years, over two spells, the former assistant of Sir Alex Ferguson, Smith is more than aware of the challenges that the Champions League pose to his side, and will line up his to defend stubbornly, and attack on the break.
Most importantly, Smith's spell as the head coach of the Scotland national team stands him in good stead, and having recorded an impressive victory over France in 2007, don’t bet against the Scot from recording another impressive result, perhaps when Rangers take on United and Ibrox.
SUCCESSES
Rangers have lifted the Scottish League title a staggering 53 times in their history, including a run of nine consecutive successes between the 1988-89 and 1996-97 season.
Furthermore, they have won the Scottish Cup 33 times, and the League Cup on 26 occassions. The sole European triumph occurred in 1972, when they lifted the Cup Winners Cup.
STADIUM
Located in Glasgow, the Ibrox Stadium holds a capacity of just over 51,000 and was one of Britain’s first all-seater stadiums. Built in 1899, Ibrox now consists of four stands, with one - the Bill Stuth stand - dating back to 1928.
HERO OF THE FANS
At 40 years of age, and still pivotal to the defence of the Scotland national team, David Weir is held in high regard by the Rangers faithful.
Their experienced captain only joined the club in 2007, but despite his senior age, has notched up an impressive 127 appearances thus far during his tenure at Ibrox.
GOAL.COM PREDICTION
Rangers have already completed their main objective in this season’s completion, by qualifying for the group stages. Due to the hindered finances, this summer’s signings were the clubs’ first in two years, and were obtained with the SPL in mind, in oppose to mounting a serious assault on their group.
Matched against the likes of Manchester United, Valencia and Bursaspor, this is surely where Rangers’ Champions League ends for this season.
STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
Like many teams in the Champions League, Rangers are well equipped to dominate their domestic league, but are worryingly short on quality to mount any serious challenge in European football’s premier competition.
| Bet: | Returns: | Rangers £15.71 | Draw £35.00 | Motherwell £70.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Rangers £14.00 | Draw £43.30 | Motherwell £85.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Rangers £13.30 | Draw £50.00 | Motherwell £85.00 |
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Kenny Miller will shoulder most of the responsibility in terms of goalscoring alongside new signing James Beattie, while the experience of 40-year-old David Weir will be invaluable alongside a relatively young defence.
STARS & KEY PLAYER
Possibly key to Rangers’ hopes of progressing through the group stages in Allan McGregor. The Scotland goalkeeper will be one of the busiest stoppers in the competition, and will need to be on top form against the likes of Manchester United, and in particular, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.
COACH & TACTICAL
In Walter Smith, Rangers have a manager with a wealth of experience. Having lead the Scottish giants for a total of ten years, over two spells, the former assistant of Sir Alex Ferguson, Smith is more than aware of the challenges that the Champions League pose to his side, and will line up his to defend stubbornly, and attack on the break.
Most importantly, Smith's spell as the head coach of the Scotland national team stands him in good stead, and having recorded an impressive victory over France in 2007, don’t bet against the Scot from recording another impressive result, perhaps when Rangers take on United and Ibrox.
SUCCESSES
Rangers have lifted the Scottish League title a staggering 53 times in their history, including a run of nine consecutive successes between the 1988-89 and 1996-97 season.
Furthermore, they have won the Scottish Cup 33 times, and the League Cup on 26 occassions. The sole European triumph occurred in 1972, when they lifted the Cup Winners Cup.
STADIUM
Located in Glasgow, the Ibrox Stadium holds a capacity of just over 51,000 and was one of Britain’s first all-seater stadiums. Built in 1899, Ibrox now consists of four stands, with one - the Bill Stuth stand - dating back to 1928.
HERO OF THE FANS
At 40 years of age, and still pivotal to the defence of the Scotland national team, David Weir is held in high regard by the Rangers faithful.Their experienced captain only joined the club in 2007, but despite his senior age, has notched up an impressive 127 appearances thus far during his tenure at Ibrox.
GOAL.COM PREDICTION
Rangers have already completed their main objective in this season’s completion, by qualifying for the group stages. Due to the hindered finances, this summer’s signings were the clubs’ first in two years, and were obtained with the SPL in mind, in oppose to mounting a serious assault on their group.
Matched against the likes of Manchester United, Valencia and Bursaspor, this is surely where Rangers’ Champions League ends for this season.
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