Rangers Travel To Denmark For First Leg Of European Tie
By Joseph Sinke
For the third round of Europa League Qualifying Rangers head to Denmark to face FC Midtjylland.
Rangers face, almost certainly, their biggest test of the young season later today by facing FC Midtjylland. In Europe, both St Joseph’s and Progres are sides that deserve some respect but were clearly not on the level of Rangers, while Kilmarnock in the opening match of the season is also clearly a step below despite another struggle of a match.
Midtjylland, however, are likely to prove a much tougher test and figure to be the first match of the season where Rangers will not be faced with a deep defensive box and be asked to do some real defending.
Midtjylland have had a great deal of success in recent seasons, finishing second in the Danish Superliga last season and winning a cup after finishing first in the division the previous season. In the last ten seasons, they have never finished lower than 6th (out of 14 teams) in the top division and winning it twice.
The club has also found some success in Europe, having made the final round of qualifying for Europa League in 6 of the last 7 seasons and progressing into the group stages once. Given how many times they have nearly made it but fell short is likely to only make them hungrier.
For this season they have begun strong domestically and have won all 4 of their matches to collect 12 out of 12 points. This is a strong club that is well run and well-coached, they will be very tough.
Rangers enter the match coming off a thrilling 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock, although that match combined with their 0-0 stinker against Progres does leave some concerns about how Rangers will cope with a legitimately strong-side. If Rangers play well and win the first leg it would do a great deal to boost faith in the side for this season.
Given that we already know that Rangers would have a real chance against their opponents in the next (and final) round of qualifying must light an extra fire for the club to perform in this round. The chance to make the group stages for the second straight season would be an excellent feater in the cap of Steven Gerrard.