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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

Chris Sutton delivers ominous Rangers prediction but Martin Keown champions 'the Ibrox factor'

Chris Sutton reckons Rangers have an "extremely difficult" task in staging a Europa League semi-final comeback.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side were narrowly beaten by RB Leipzig in a tense first leg encounter on Thursday night.

It took a spectacular volley from Angelino just five minutes from time to breach a resolute Ibrox backline as they soaked up pressure for long spells in the Red Bull Arena.

But the late goal does put Domenico Tedesco's team in the driving seat and former Celtic star Sutton believes it's now a tall order for Rangers - because he expects Leipzig to score in Glasgow.

He told BT Sport: "I think it'll be extremely (to turn the tie around) because Leipzig have a goal in them away from home."

However, the Record Sport columnist stressed the scoreline is not catastrophic for a Rangers side forced to compete without a recognised striker following injuries to Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe.

"I think to go back to Ibrox with only one goal in it is not the worst result," Sutton said. "Rangers fans would liked to have seen their team attack more than they did, but they certainly frustrated Leipzig.

"I thought Leipzig huffed and puffed. They got there in the end with a moment of brilliance.

"But Rangers have work to do because Leipzig can hurt them back at Ibrox."

Sutton's co-pundit Martin Keown was more optimistic about Rangers' chances, insisting he sensed a confidence from players and manager in post-match interviews.

And he also cited "the Ibrox factor" which has helped carry Van Bronckhorst's team in their remarkable run to the last four.

The former Arsenal defender said: "I think that was the order of the day, to be difficult to beat with a good goalkeeper behind them.

"It looked like they'd executed that plan well but to concede from a set-piece... I feel it's an incredible strike.

"Angelino, we know he's capable of this, he's done it before. It's a bit of a sucker punch to lose in the manner they did but, listening to Gio after the game, they seem like they're up for this now.

"They know the Ibrox factor, we've seen that in previous rounds.

"It's going to have to be one of those really special nights to get back in it because this is no ordinary Leipzig team - they're a very good, strong group.

"But Rangers still look like they're confident of going through."

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