RB Leipzig are strong and in form. But they do not know just what awaits them when they get to Ibrox
Former Rangers striker, MARCO NEGRI, believe es the Light Blues support can be the 12th man in their Europa League semi-final
Part of the Rangers side that failed to pull off 10-in-a-row in 1997-98, Marco Negri knows very well that favourites do not always win.
The Light Blues were long odds-on to break new ground in Scottish football history at the start of that campaign, but were toppled by a Celtic group led by the late Wim Jansen.
A quarter of a century on, the Italian is hoping the sporting truism is about to be underlined by his former club, arguing the Ibrox support makes Rangers the dark horses to win the Europa League.
“I am very happy they have reached the semi-finals,” he said after watching Thursday’s win over Braga from his home in Italy.
“It was not an easy game by any means – for the players or for the supporters – but in the end I think everyone would agree Rangers deserved to win.
“Now they are through to the final four of the competition, which is very exciting.
Rangers’ competitive spirit is a big strength, and they will play their hearts out
“I think Leipzig are the strongest team left in there. They are Germany’s form team. They have won 10 of their last 13 Bundesliga games, and are scoring many more goals than they are conceding.
“In Italy, we know all about the strength of Atalanta. They have been one of our strongest clubs in recent years.
“Yet Leipzig managed to figure out a way to beat them. They spotted weaknesses in their game they could use against them, and did just that.
“This seems to be what they are very good at and, of course, they have highquality individuals within the group.
“There is Christopher Nkunku – once of PSG, who scored the goals which put Atalanta out – and Dani Olmo, who plays for the Spanish national team.
“Nevertheless, I am convinced Rangers have every chance of winning.
“They just have to play with belief and awareness that they can do it. They have made it to the semi-finals. That shows they can beat anyone.
“If you want proof, you only have to look at their success against Borussia Dortmund earlier in their European run. They achieved that by playing excellent football, and by playing without fear. That has to be their approach again against Leipzig.
“Rangers’ competitive spirit is a big strength. They will play their
hearts out, and I am sure they will keeping running and pressing their opponents throughout.”
And as long as they do that, Negri believes, the fans can help get them to the Final.
“The Ibrox crowd can be a decisive factor in this tie,” he said.
“Rangers will be playing the return at home, and that can be crucial.
“Of course, it is important that they get a result in Germany, which gives them a decent chance to win through.
“Provided they do that, Rangers fans can make a difference. Leipzig do not know what awaits them at Ibrox.
“This is an arena I know well, and I can promise you the support the team gets from these supporters on these nights gives a big boost to all the players.
“They are exceptional, unique and they will inspire Rangers in the second leg.
“We have seen it so many times already in this run to the semi-finals.”
If Frenchman Nkunku was the Leipzig hero during the week, so Kemar Roofe was the toast of Ibrox in the win over the Portuguese.
The 27-year-old looked destined to be having one of those nights where he would do everything but score as he had two goals disallowed, and hit the crossbar. His persistence paid off in extra time, though, when he managed to net the Light Blues’ winner.
“It was good to see because I believe Roofe to be a very good striker,” said Negri, who himself once netted all five of his team’s goals in a 5-1 victory against Dundee United at Ibrox.
“The game against Braga was difficult for him, things kept conspiring against him.
“But he did not let it beat him or get him down and, as a result, he ended the night as the matchwinner.
“That shows real character, and he should have a big part to play in the games with Leipzig – hopefully even in the Europa League Final itself as well.
“However, we must not make the mistake of thinking that he can do for the team what Alfredo Morelos usually does.
“Morelos is a big loss because he is great up front on his own. It is something he does really well.
“Roofe is completely different. He needs to be supported by other forwards.
“But as long as he gets that, he can be deadly in the box because he has great movement and always has a picture in his head of where the goal is.
“Certainly, I believe he can make an important contribution against Leipzig. But to be successful, Rangers are going to need everyone to do their bit.
“It is difficult because, to be successful, they will need to be aggressive yet also patient. They will need to be team players yet also individuals when the moment requires it.
“And, as I said earlier, with that support at Ibrox behind them, I know they can dig deep and produce what would be another great night in the club’s history.”