Rangers set to open up against rotated Manchester United?
Alterations won’t detract from magnitude of Ibrox clash
Match day 5 of the Champions League, Rangers last home game of the group stages and Manchester United are in town. Does it get much bigger than that?
With injuries starting to mount up, Walter Smith may find he will be forced into playing a more attacking line-up than he would have liked. The home draw against Valencia is proof that a defensive system can result in attacking play but Rangers had the right players in the right positions that night. Tonight may see a less conventional Rangers line-up.
In saying that, there are still plenty of attacking options for Rangers and it will be interesting to see how they do against a reshuffled United backline.
A home win puts Rangers firmly in the hunt for a last 16 place and there is no reason to suggest they can’t get it. It’ll be tough but you can only go on Champions League form this season and that does not suggest the Red Devils are runaway favourites for the game.
There are other factors involved in tonight’s game that would further suggest that Rangers could prosper tonight. Alex Ferguson is bringing a weakened team to Glasgow, United have fallen short of their high standards this season and Rangers have been well set up on these occasions this season. That would all indicate a result that would have the Rangers fans singing long into the night is a strong possibility.
Then again, it only takes a moment of genius or capitalising on an error to break the deadlock and even a weakened United side contains quality in key areas
Rangers may find that tonight’s match provides them with some tips for Sunday’s SPL match at Tannadice. With foreign refs possibly taking charge in Scotland this weekend, being aware of the subtle differences in refereeing behaviour may give the Ibrox side an advantage. After all, it is not as if Dundee United remain in Europe long enough to raid the duty free, let alone observe cultural differences in refereeing behaviour.
Of course, Rangers may receive a weekend off if no foreign refs can be sourced….or the proposed ‘strike’ may disappear if the rumours of the refs wanting (and getting) filthy lucre rather than respect are true.
However, that is for then, this is for now….it’s the last big Champions League group game of the season at Ibrox and it is very much to play for. Predictions for tonight?
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