I played against Arsenal in the Premier League for the first time on Boxing Day 19 years ago. Our Wolves team got battered 3-0, with Thierry Henry scoring a double. But you know what struck me most that day about the Gunners’ world-class stars? The sheer size and stature of these elite boys.
Patrick Vieira, Sol Campbell, Dennis Bergkamp and Henry, they were all there. They were all 6ft 3in, 6ft 4in, and I’m standing next to them at 5ft 10in. I remember thinking, ‘Wow’. Physically, they were frightening. Fast forward to 2015 at Hampden Park, Rangers v Celtic in the League Cup semi-final. It was the only time I went up against Virgil van Dijk in my career. And I got the same feeling as I did at Highbury all those years before.
He’s an absolute monster. What a presence he has. And also a confidence in his own ability. He’s bigger, stronger and quicker than just about anyone he comes up against. Van Dijk only had two seasons at Parkhead before going to Southampton then Liverpool. And it’s no surprise to anyone who has seen him close up.
He’s got everything. That’s why there’s a valid debate about whether he’s currently the best defender in the world. People say he cruised it in the Scottish top flight. But he’s still doing that now. He never gets flustered. He gets tested by the best players on the planet in the Champions League or for Holland at international level. But with van Dijk you always feel he has extra gears.
When I played against him it wasn’t a Rangers team that were anywhere close to being able to compete. People know that. We were always going to be up against it and didn’t pose a threat. It was a 2-0 defeat no-contest – and a bad day at the office for me.
But watching van Dijk, you knew he was a top player and had the world at his feet. Right now, there’s not too many players in the world who will trouble him. And on Tuesday night, that will be the task facing either Alfredo Morelos or Antonio Colak when Rangers go into the Champions League Battle of Britain at Anfield.
Who would van Dijk rather face? He won’t be fazed by anyone playing up front for Rangers. Colak scored twice against Hearts at Tynecastle but Morelos also netted after coming off the bench and will give the Dutchman more to worry about.
Knowing Alfredo, he’ll probably thrive on that. He’s more mobile, more physical and more aggressive than Colak. He works a back-line better, he presses harder and he’s got an obvious goal threat. Despite van Dijk’s class, Morelos can get under his skin.
He’ll be thinking, ‘Who is this guy banging into me and snarling in my face?’ But that’s Morelos, that’s his game. And that’s why I hope Giovanni van Bronckhorst goes for him up top. Listen, it’s a Scotland v England derby. I’ve played in these games for Rangers and Celtic against Manchester United in the Champions League.
Even as a fan, I think back to the Rangers v Leeds United games back in 1992 which were incredible. The odds were against Rangers back then – but they won. It’s the same whenever any Scottish team takes on a Premier League outfit in Europe. There’s an extra edge to these games.
Let’s face it, Liverpool are looking to WIN the Champions League this season. So Rangers are up against it. But history tells you that these games are usually tight. It will be a British style match. Of course, given Rangers’ first two results in the group, there’s a bit of fear going down there.
Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world. If you were a betting man, you’d fancy Jurgen Klopp’s side. But can Rangers get something from the game? Absolutely. The last time the club faced this type of game was in 2010 when we went to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. Walter Smith came up with a game plan and we got a 0-0 draw. So it can be done. That’s how Walter got the club to a UEFA Cup Final.
Rangers actually did it last season against RB Leipzig in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. I don’t expect Gio to play that way at Anfield. Reality is, they’ll have to defend a lot against the likes of Mo Salah, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz. But Rangers will want to show some attacking intent of their own. After all, they NEED to pick up points. They don’t want to finish their campaign having lost every game.
And for Morelos and Ryan Kent in particular – both heading out of contract – this is a shop window for them. If they want a big move, performing well in this type of game can get them it, not just turning it on against Dundee United or Ross County. It’s a game against Europe’s elite so go and showcase your talent.
What better game against van Dijk is there for Alfredo to prove how good he is? If Morelos or Kent have ambitions of playing in the Premier League, what an opportunity they have over the next two games at Anfield and Ibrox. But they’re up against the best team in the group. I still believe that, despite Liverpool’s defeat at Napoli.
To take anything, Rangers need to take any opportunities that come their way and hope the main man Allan McGregor has a top night. Everything points to a Liverpool win. But you can always dream and anything is possible in football. Who knows? If Morelos goes clean through in the first five minutes, big van Dijk could bring him down and get a straight red card. Under the lights at Anfield, in that atmosphere, Rangers might just need something like that to go for them.
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