Rangers starting to dream of European glory
Glasgow Rangers take on FK Crvena Zvezda in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 clash at Ibrox on Thursday evening, buoyed by their enthralling aggregate win over Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in the previous round. The hosts have only lost once this calendar year in all competitions and the visitors are unbeaten. Something will have to give over the next fortnight. Read our preview here:
A bountiful Tavernier
Right-back James Tavernier has been one of the best performers in Scotland for quite some time now, replicating his displays under Steven Gerrard for relatively new boss Gio van Bronckhorst. With license to get forward into both creative and goalscoring positions, the 30 year old has plundered nine goals and 12 assists, and these haven't been restricted to just domestic competitions. The similarly potent Alfredo Morelos is a mainstay up top for the blue half of Glasgow, and the combination will sorely test the Serbian champions' rearguard.
Kanga-ru
Having topped their Europa League pool, it's only at this stage that Звезда are back in the competition. Despite having won 22 and lost just once in the Super Liga, they currently trail Partizan by two points, and might find things at the business end of this tournament don't go all their own way either. Winter transfer window capture Ohi Omoijuanfo has blasted in four in his first five starts, ably supported by an attacking midfield trio, with Gabonese international Guélor Kanga pulling all the strings directly behind his new teammate in between the lines.
Betting tip
A relatively tight defence in the SPFL hasn't translated to the same phenomenon in the Europa League, and Crvena Zvezda will go toe-to-toe with Rangers all the way and won't be overawed by the occasion. That said, it should be another barnstorming occasion, and bet365 have odds of 3.75 for a home win in the first leg with both teams scoring.
