Allan was key man on road to Euro final in 2008 and is ready to shine in Braga
KEITH JACKSON This one looks like a leap too far despite their storming second-half comeback at Ibrox. Braga are a slick, powerful side, laced with South American flair. They also know they can’t afford to switch off after that first-leg turnaround. Braga 2, Rangers 0
GARY RALSTON Never mind Steven Gerrard, Rangers should be bossed this season by Ronan Keating. Life is a rollercoaster at Ibrox these days but they still have enough about them in attack to progress, even without Alfredo Morelos.
Rangers have shown they can score away from home against quality opposition in Europe and Flo Kamberi’s pace can help exploit Braga’s high line to grab the vital goal to take them through. Braga 1, Rangers 1
GORDON PARKS There will, once again, be no case for the Rangers defence as their Portuguese hosts have too much attacking quality and they will hit Steven Gerrard’s side by at least a couple of goals.
ROSS PILCHER Rangers produced a stunning comeback at Ibrox but facing Braga away is a different proposition entirely. They were 2-0 up and cruising in Govan before being overwhelmed but are unlikely to make that mistake again.
RANGERS are unbeaten on their last four trips to Portugal ahead of tonight’s Europa League showdown with Braga. They have played eight games away, won twice, drawn three times and lost on three occasions. Here’s their full record: 3.11.71. ECWC: Sporting Lisbon 4, Rangers 3. 2.11.83. ECWC: Porto 1, Rangers 0. 5.11.86: UC: Boavista 0, Rangers 1. 16.09.04. UC: Maritimo 1, Rangers 0. 23.11.05. CL: Porto 1, Rangers 1. 10.04.08. UC: Sporting Lisbon 0, Rangers 2. 24.02.11. EL: Sporting Lisbon 2, Rangers 2. 24.10.19. EL: Porto 1, Rangers 1.
RANGERS pair Borna Barisic and Glen Kamara, if they are selected, head into tonight’s clash in Braga only one booking away from a Europa League suspension.
Steven Gerrard’s side will already be without top scorer Alfredo Morelos in Portugal after the Colombian picked up his third European booking during last Thursday’s 3-2 first leg victory. Rangers will be boosted by midfielder Ryan Jack’s availability after a ban but left-back Barisic, who faces a race against time to be fit, and midfielder Kamara will walk a suspension tightrope.
Assuming Rangers can record another famous away success in Europe the pair are both just one caution away from missing the first leg of the last-16 clash.
GERRARD is likely to hand Florian Kamberi his first start in place of the suspended Morelos while Jack will return to fight for a place in midfield.
Steven Davis, Kamara and Scott Arfield were in the engine room for the first leg but one of them may miss out to accommodate the former Aberdeen star.
Jermain Defoe (calf) and Filip Helander (foot) are still injured while Jon Flanagan, Matt Polster and Brandon Barker were left behind in Glasgow.
GARY RALSTON IN BRAGA
ALLAN McGREGOR answered Steven Gerrard’s call by standing up for his first interview in eight years. Now he’s ready to deliver on the demands of the manager again as Rangers prepare to reach the last 16 of the Europa League. McGregor has stood tall for Rangers in the past against the likes of Barcelona, Bremen and Belgrade – now he has to do it all again in Braga. The former Scotland keeper took the hump with the media in the aftermath of his involvement in the notorious Boozegate episode when George Burley was national boss. Since then, appearances at media conferences have been few and far between but he agreed to his gaffer’s request to speak out at the Estadio Municipal. Gerrard said: “I nominated Allan. I nominate the person or the people to do the media