Neil McCann highlights the hurdles the team faces, grappling with the suspension of Jose Cifuentes and the injury to Nico Raskin. The seasoned pundit, speaking on BBC Sportscene, emphasizes the significance of the upcoming Europa League encounter on 14 December, deeming it a pivotal moment for the club’s journey in the competition.
Neil McCann expressed his concerns, stating, “The Europa League clash on Thursday is huge for the club as they aim to secure their place in the knockout rounds of the competition.” He pointed out the challenges that lie ahead, especially with the absence of key players: “It’s going to be a tough game out there, already done the business against the side and then the League Cup final. With Raskin out, they’ve got a few problems, and the games keep coming. And big games it is as well, so a really tough week coming and I hope a positive one for them.”
McCann highlighted the broader context of the situation, noting, “In many ways, this is set to be a season-defining week for Rangers as they simply can’t afford to lose either of their upcoming two matches.”
On the significance of the Viaplay Cup final against Aberdeen, McCann stressed, “The Light Blues haven’t won the Viaplay Cup since 2011, meaning the thought of not taking the trophy back to Ibrox after reaching this stage is inconceivable.”
While acknowledging the pressure on the game against Real Betis, McCann highlighted the financial incentives tied to staying in the Europa League: “While there is less pressure on the game against Betis because they have at least secured a place in the Europa Conference League after Christmas, the financial rewards of remaining in the Europa League could be greater.”
McCann expressed confidence in the team’s ability to secure a victory against Real Betis, having already triumphed over them earlier in the season. However, he underscored the significance of the Aberdeen clash, stating, “The bigger game will certainly come against Aberdeen, though, as Philippe Clement knows that this is the one he absolutely must win.”