Cautious Karel Geraerts is refusing to get carried away with his Union Saint-Gilloise team’s Champions League prospects, insisting Rangers are still “100 per cent” favourites.
The Belgian minnows are firmly in the driving seat after their sensational 2-0 win at Leuven’s Den Dreef Stadion on Tuesday. But Geraerts stressed the job is far from finished and expects Gers to come out all guns blazing at Ibrox next Tuesday.
Asked how he rated his team’s qualifying chances, the Union gaffer said: “Still zero per cent. Rangers have all 100 per cent because it is a big team, they play at home. It is only 2-0. It is a good score. I have confidence in my team. I’m very proud of the performance from the team. It was a good game, we were very well organised and when we had the ball we tried to play. It was my main objective to play football and I asked my players to respect the opponent because it is a big team with big history.
“Last season they were great and they didn’t make so many transfers out so they still have the same team, which is a good one if you make the Europa League Final and do well. I’m very happy. I asked my players to try to win the game. If it is a friendly match or an official game, once we go on the field we respect the opponent but we play to win and they did perfectly.”
The final whistle brought wild scenes as Union – who only returned to Belgium’s top flight last term after more than half a century in the lower divisions – celebrated the biggest win in their history.
Geraerts insists he only gathered his team round in a huddle after the game to stress they still have work to do.
He said: “They can be happy, they can be proud. They need to enjoy this victory but nothing is decided. It will all be next week.
“The only thing we could do was put ourselves in a good position to go over there and I think we did. But this is only half of the job and next week will be the other half.
“It will be a big task to go there and play against a magnificent crowd. It is amazing. But first we have a league game on Saturday and I want my players to perform there.”
READ NEXT
