Jack: Last-16 Europa tie is
The visit of Bayer Leverkusen to Ibrox on Thursday night brings to mind the old line about the light at the end of the tunnel belonging to an oncoming train.
Over the last eight days, Rangers have been knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Hearts, and beaten at home in the league by Hamilton Accies, the Premiership’s two bottom-placed sides.
By any stretch of the imagination, that is hardly the best preparation for a Europa League tie against a team lying fifth in the Bundesliga.
A side that includes Kai Havertz, the attacking midfielder who has attracted the attention of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United, and is rated as being worth 100- million euros by his club.
Ryan Jack, though, one of the men who will have to look to shut down Havertz, insists it is a challenge to be met, not feared.
“Timing doesn’t matter with this tie, to be honest,” said Jack.
“We have got ourselves to the last-16 of the Europa League on merit because of how we have played in the competition from the start.
“We are delighted to be there, and we want to give a good account of ourselves.
“It’s a great draw for us against a massive German side.
“I’m sure they will be two tough games. But we need to look forward to them.”
“When you are in a Rangers shirt, it is about what we do and how we play.
“If we stick to our levels and our performances, then we will win most games.”
As much as that might be true, with the visit of Celtic to Glasgow’s south side