Evander could land knockout blow, says Erik
ERIK SVIATCHENKO has warned Rangers they could be facing a flashback to past Old Firm foes when they encounter rising Brazilian star Evander this evening.
The 21-year-old midfielder has scored in each of his last three appearances for FC Midtjylland, playing a key role in maintaining the club’s perfect start to the Danish Superliga.
Former Celtic defender Sviatchenko is convinced Evander will rise to the occasion when Steven Gerrard’s men take to the field for the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie.
And he believes the £2million signing from Vasco de Gama is effectively a cross between two players who shone during his time at Parkhead.
‘Evander is a huge talent,’ said Sviatchenko, now captaining Midtjylland after returning to Denmark last year. ‘He has been a really important player for us since he came to the club. In the last few games, he has come through with some important goals and late goals.
‘I am urging him to be at his best
tomorrow and I think he will be, because what he has been showing in the Danish league has been at a really high level.
‘In terms of comparing him to players I knew from Celtic, I think there is a kind of Patrick Roberts/Stuart Armstrong mix within him in some ways.
‘He is quick enough and has an amazing run with the ball. His shot is really powerful and the vision in his game is different to what you might normally see in a talent of his age.
‘He will definitely thrive on this occasion. He comes from a really big club in Brazil, Vasco de Gama, where he had the No 10. He has come here and worn the same number at a club that wants to be at it its best. He has coped fine with all the expectation so far.’
Sviatchenko won four out of five derbies against Rangers when a Celtic player, but feels his old rivals have taken sizeable strides forward following Gerrard’s appointment as manager.
‘They are a different team — and a better one as well,’ said the 27-year-old centre-back. ‘They have different players, a new manager and a new structure and everything about them is set up in a different way.
‘When we played them, I thought there was a big gap and I would still say there is a gap from last season, too, with the points difference at the end of the season.
‘However, Rangers proved in the two games they won against Celtic they are a good side. I don’t know the circumstances that led Steven Gerrard to Rangers, but obviously he is a big name at the club and he has shown there has been progress.
‘For everyone around Scottish football it is a positive thing that we have had Brendan Rodgers at Celtic and now we have the apprentice, so to speak, at Glasgow Rangers.’
Either Alfredo Morelos or Jermain Defoe will be pitched into direct combat against Sviatchenko tonight. Sent off himself for two bookings in the weekend win over Aalborg, the Dane denies seeing any opportunity in the disciplinary record that dogged Morelos last season.
‘It’s up to him whether he wants to be in this mood or not but he’s a top striker,’ insisted Sviatchenko. ‘We haven’t been talking about that (his indiscipline) and we’ll play it like a normal game without these things.
‘Rangers have two top strikers in their squad. I have watched Morelos closely and he was in the league when I was there.
‘He’s physical, strong and quick and it’s the same with Defoe, who is experienced and has played a lot of games in the Premier League. We’re aware of them both. We also are a good team and have good partnerships all around the team, so we will be ready for the job.’
Sviatchenko admitted his phone had been ‘non-stop’ with messages from Celtic fans urging him to ensure Rangers are knocked out.
Asked if he expected his old club to win the Premiership this season, he said: ‘I am cheering for it and I expect it.
‘What do I look back on most fondly about my time at Celtic? There are many things. However, it is a joy also to be back at my first club Midtjylland sitting here now ahead of such an important game against Rangers, which feels a little odd but nice.’
He is kind of like a mixture of Patrick Roberts and Stuart Armstrong