Snodgrass urges Rangers to stand tall among giants of English game

ROBERT SNODGRASS moved to English football and found himself surrounded by giants. When Liverpool host Rangers tomorrow night, he expects the visitors to walk tall.

As a player with West Ham and Aston Villa, the Hearts veteran sustained some heavy defeats in front of the famous Kop.

With Jurgen Klopp’s side struggling to reach the sky-high standards of recent seasons, however, Snodgrass thinks the Ibrox side should back themselves to go to Anfield and compete.

‘Down south, the big thing is the size of the players,’ he said. ‘Some of them are huge. And a lot of Scottish lads going down there say that it takes a few months to adjust to the size.

‘But everyone in English football loves the Old Firm, they respect the Scottish game — and recognise that it’s getting better and better.

‘There is no chance of Liverpool taking Rangers lightly. No chance.

‘Rangers are a big name, everyone knows what they did in reaching the Europa League final last year. And just look at the size of the club.

‘With the fans travelling down there, they will be expecting Rangers to compete — and believing that they can win.’

Snodgrass made only his second appearance for Hearts in Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to the Scottish Cup holders.

The Jambos play Serie A giants Fiorentina at Tynecastle in the Europa Conference League on Thursday in a huge week of European action for Premiership clubs.

Rangers are travelling to one of the most iconic venues in Europe with renewed hope after growing signs of Liverpool fragility.

‘Anfield is probably one of the toughest places I’ve ever been,’ added Snodgrass (below). ‘Rangers will know that. The atmosphere they create there, especially on a big European night, is really special. It’s impressive enough even just watching the games — but something else when you play them there.

‘I’ve played Liverpool at Anfield a few times and it’s a very difficult place to go, even when you do well. I actually did my ankle there celebrating with West Ham, so that wasn’t great! I was playing against Andy Robertson, as well, so that’s always good.

‘Liverpool and Man City are the two teams who are the very highest level, above every other side. If you get a result against them, you’ve done very well.

‘Rangers will know how tough it can be there. But Liverpool haven’t started this season exactly the way they’d have wanted to. It’s two big clubs going at it. But, if Liverpool are at it, it will be a tough night for Rangers.’

Robbie Neilson sent his players out to get in Rangers’ faces, press hard and stay in the game. Giovanni van Bronckhorst is likely to echo those instructions tomorrow night at a ground renowned for the atmosphere on Champions League nights.

‘Absolutely,’ agreed Snodgrass, ‘they’ll want to get the crowd quiet, give a good account of themselves — and show they’re capable of playing at the very highest level of the Champions League. They had a great run in Europe last year, they’ve done really well.

‘So there’s no doubt Rangers will head to Anfield believing they can get something from the game. It will be a good watch.’

His fitness gradually improving, Snodgrass can play no part in the glamour tie with Fiorentina because he joined Hearts after the deadline for registering players with UEFA.

Keen to contribute what he can via his experience off the pitch, the 35-year-old claims Thursday is testament to how far the Gorgie club have come in a short time.

‘Two or three years ago, this club was in the Championship. The club have come a long way,’ he said.

‘No disrespect, but this club shouldn’t be in the Championship. But sometimes that can be the best thing for you. You can come back stronger.

‘That is exactly what they have done. They have got themselves into Europe and are rubbing shoulders with teams like Fiorentina. That is what the fans want, that is what the players want, that is what the staff want.

‘To come into that environment is good. But it isn’t good if you can’t qualify to play in the games! There is a bigger picture here than me. If I can give my experience and help out in certain ways, especially after a defeat like that, I will. We have to pick ourselves up and get ready for a big game.

‘There are a lot of young boys in the squad and I will just try to help them by working as hard as I possibly can in training.’