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Glasgow Live
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Alan Galindo

Ally McCoist in Rangers vs PSV confession as he picks out two main threats to Champions League hopes

Ally McCoist has confessed that PSV are slight favourites to defeat Rangers in the Champions League play-off showdown.

The Light Blues welcome the Dutch giants to Ibrox tonight in the first of two meetings with the big prize of a place in Europe's premier competition and the financial benefits that come along with that on the line. Govan was rocking last week as Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men recovered a two-goal deficit against Union SG from the first game to run out 3-0 winners on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.

McCoist knows that PSV are a far better team and offer a completely different challenge to his former side. They overcame French outfit Monaco to reach this stage of qualifying.

READ MORE: Rangers net Champions League play-off windfall as UEFA prize guarantee reached

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The well-respected pundit has picked out Cody Gakpo and ex-Rangers transfer target Joey Veerman as ones to watch ahead of the blockbuster clash. Rangers went all the way to the Europa League Final last term and McCoist knows just how well Van Bronckhorst's men can play, and if they can tap into that sort of form then they will have a major chance of joining Celtic in the tournament proper.

But he has confessed the Eredivisie giants are the slight favourites to qualify.

He told the talkSPORT breakfast show: "It will be difficult, I'll tell you that right now. It was a great result last week against the Belgians however, completely different entity tonight.

"PSV are a team of far better quality, no doubt about it. They've got good players; Gakpo obviously interesting Manchester United.

"A player that concerns or worries me a little bit sometimes comes back to bite you is a is called Joey Veerman who was at Herenveen and Rangers were interested in and tried to sign him. He went to PSV, and I fancy him.

"I think he's a good player; scored at the weekend, scored against Monaco. It's a far tougher game for us but listen if we got out and play at home the way that, particularly, we've done recently in Europe then we'll have a chance.

"I would be honest with you, I'd have PSV as slight favourites for the tie but anything can happen."

He added: "Our home record is so good, it's fantastic in Europe, I would far rather the second leg at home. You look at some of the nights we've had on the march to the Europa final, brilliant nights.

"Dortmund, dismantled Leipzig, very, very comfortable against Red Star Belgrade, great comeback to knock out Braga. And I think the no away goals in a bizarre way would suit Rangers if they were away from home first.

"It wouldn't bother them if they didn't score as long as they kept it tight. Tonight I just think hopefully the atmosphere again - you can never understate the value and importance of the home crowd on these European nights at Ibrox because they've been magnificent and hopefully the boys can give them something to cheer about again tonight."

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