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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

Kris Commons in Antonio Colak Rangers prediction as he tips striker to prove Champions League difference maker

Former Celtic star Kris Commons believes Antonio Colak is primed and ready for a Champions League impact with Rangers.

The Croatia international was denied his first goal for the Ibrox side against Livingston on Saturday due to an offside flag but Commons senses the forward can make the difference against Union Saint-Gilloise. Rangers supporters know full well what the forward can do on the continent, as he bagged a defining double for Malmo to end Steven Gerrard 's dream of taking his team to European football's top table.

And now Colak is likely to lead the line against the Belgian upstarts away from home as Gio Van Bronckhorst eyes a positive result in the first leg before the return leg at Ibrox. Rangers are aiming to end a 12-year wait for their return to the Champions League group stage.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Commons said: " Rangers will head to Belgium for tomorrow night's Champions League qualifier against Union Saint-Gilloise with every chance of progressing. USG were the surprise package in last year's Belgian top flight, finishing top of the table in the regular season before being pipped to the title by Club Brugge in the play-offs which followed. But they have lost their manager Felice Mazzu, who has now moved on to take charge of Anderlecht. Last season's top scorer, Deniz Undav, has also returned to parent club Brighton after a loan stint.

"So while they might be a dangerous proposition for Rangers, Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side should still be favourites to progress. They are coming into this on the back of an outstanding European campaign which saw them reach the Europa League final only a couple of months ago. Alfredo Morelos is so often Rangers' star man on these big European nights. He has scored so many goals in continental competition throughout his time at Ibrox.

"But he missed the run to Seville due to injury and still isn't fully fit, so they won't be able to rely on him in Belgium. Other players stepped in during his absence on the run to Seville and I believe Antonio Colak is the man most likely to do the same in these games against USG.

"The Croatian forward was outstanding for Malmo in this competition last season, scoring twice at Ibrox to dump Rangers out of the Champions League qualifiers. If he can replicate that sort of lethal form in front of goal, he could quickly prove to be a fans' favourite at his new club."

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