Ricardo Horta has spent the last six years carving out a major reputation for himself at Braga’s famous Quarry.
Now Paulo Sergio has warned Rangers they will have to dig deep if they want to prevent the Portuguese ace using Thursday’s Europa League showdown as a stepping stone back to the big time.
Horta’s sensational form for Carlos Carvalhal’s side this season has put a string of suitors on red alert, with Liverpool and Arsenal leading the list of clubs considering delving into their pits of cash for the £20million-rated wide man.
The 27-year-old is also attracting interest in his homeland from domestic giants Benfica and Porto having blasted 19 goals in 36 appearances so far this term.
And former Hearts boss Sergio - now back in Portugal managing fellow Primeira Liga outfit Portimonense - reckons it won’t be long before the one-time Malaga magician is rocking up at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
A three-year stint in Spain earlier in his career didn’t go as well as hoped but Braga’s stunning Estádio Municipal - impressively chiselled out of the side of a mountain - has been a goalscoring gold mine for the Arsenalists skipper.
Now Sergio says this week’s quarter-final clash with Gio van Bronckhorst’s team is the perfect platform for Horta to prove he has the minerals for the continent’s biggest stages.
“Ricardo Horta is a player destined for the top leagues,” insisted the Jambos’ Scottish Cup-winning coach.
“He can score in every game - he’s a very good player and the big teams are already speaking about him.
“I don’t know what value you’d price him at but the biggest teams in Portugal are watching him closely and everybody agrees he should be in the national team.
“I also know teams from Spain are looking at him too.
“He went to La Liga with Malaga very early in his career but maybe he wasn’t yet prepared for that.
“Now, however, I think he’s in a fantastic moment.
“These games against Rangers are a great chance for him to show those big clubs what he can do. I think he’s going to do his best to show his name to the world.”
The rest of the competition have been forced to sit up and take notice by Rangers' march to the last eight.
Van Bronckhorst’s team caused shockwaves as they dumped tournament favourites Borussia Dortmund before dazzling Red Star Belgrade.
But Sergio insists no-one in Portugal will be in the least bit surprised given the way they’ve handled Primeira Liga opposition recently.
Neither Porto nor Benfica were able to get the better of the Ibrox men during group-stage encounters with the Scottish champions when Steven Gerrard was in charge, while Braga were bumped from the last 32 back in 2020 after Ianis Hagi inspired a remarkable first-leg fightback that was then sealed with Ryan Kent’s winner in the return clash at the Quarry.
Sergio said: “The reaction to the last game was normal. Everything can happen in football and Rangers are a good team.
“And this time, everyone knows that Rangers are capable of winning again - but so are Braga.
“I don’t think either side are going to be thinking about any of this from a defensive point of view.
“Braga are a side who play the game across the whole pitch and they will try to impose their game on Rangers, both at Ibrox and at home.
“But Rangers will try to do the same.
“That’s great. I think we’re going to have two very good games to watch.
“Everybody knows Rangers and that they are a very good team.
“Last time when they faced the Portuguese sides, they had Steven Gerrard in charge.
“Now it’s Giovanni van Bronckhorst but he’s another coach who promotes quality football so I’m sure the respect will be just as high as last time.”
Gers have taken on new management since the teams’ last meeting and so have Braga, with former Sheffield Wednesday gaffer Carvalhal now sitting in the seat filled by Ruben Amorim in 2020.
However, the ex-Besiktas coach has already expressed an interest in returning to Turkey amid frustrations over his young side’s fluctuating form.
They impressed with a dramatic 3-2 win over Benfica on Friday night.
Yet Braga have failed to string more than two wins together all season and Sergio admits the teething troubles being felt by Carvalhal’s band of academy recruits could yet bite into their Europa League ambitions as they come up against a Gers side determined to bounce back after Sunday’s Old Firm disappointment.
“This is a season where Braga are changing a lot,” he said.
“They sold four important players and they are renewing their squad with players from the academy.
“They do have young, talented players coming through but the results haven’t always been as consistent as they’d prefer. That happens a lot with young players.
“But the quality is definitely there.
“If Braga have their most experienced players available, they have what they need to get through these two games and fight for a place in the semi-finals.
“But it will be difficult if they’re forced to turn to these young lads because they don’t have enough experience at this level.
“Braga are a bit different from two years ago.
“Now they defend with a back five and build up with two very wide full backs.
“They are a very good team tactically and play with very short passes - but then they try explore and exploit the opponent’s defence with sudden long passes.
“I know Carlos well. He’s a friend and a fantastic coach who has a lot of experience now. He’s doing some very good work at Braga.
“He’s developing these young kids, allowing them to show their potential.
“But from a strategic point of view, I know how intelligent he is and I’m sure he will make it very hard for Rangers.
“Maybe Rangers are the favourites after the result last time.
“But I still think it will be two very tight games.”
