Ferencvárosi manager and ex-Celtic striker Robbie Keane insists his side are fully focused on securing another important European result as they welcome Rangers to Budapest - while acknowledging the threat posed by Danny Röhl’s revitalised team.
Keane stressed that Ferencvárosi’s European run (three wins and two draws from five matches) has been built on consistency and resilience, and that tomorrow’s meeting with Rangers represents another significant step in their qualifying ambitions.
He said: “We’ve had a good run in Europe.
“The teams we’ve played haven’t been easy but I go into every game wanting to win - that’s my nature.”
With qualification within reach, Keane made clear that a victory over Rangers would put his side “on the right path”, though he is under no illusions about the difficulty of the task.
He explained: “We know it’s going to be a difficult game.
“Rangers probably haven’t done as well in Europe as they’d like, but they’re still a very good team.”
The former Ireland captain spoke highly of Danny Röhl’s impact since taking over at Ibrox, noting that the German coach has reshaped Rangers style and stabilised their domestic form.
“Managers come in with different ideas and different ways of playing,” he said.
“Rangers like to make a lot of runs forward, they want control of the ball, a lot of rotation.
“They haven’t been beaten in five in the league and he [Röhl] seems to have steadied the ship and is doing a good job.”
Keane admitted he hadn’t followed Rangers closely before the UEFA Europa League draw, but since then has “watched and studied them a lot”.
The former Spurs and Liverpool forward did not just comment on Rangers however, and highlighted some of his own sides strengths.
In particular, Keane also spoke positively about the development of young Hungarian prospects within the Ferencvárosi squad, singling out 20-year-old Alex Tóth.
When quizzed on the recent international break he said: “We’re lucky we have a few players like Alex Tóth - he’s only 20.
“With the players they have, it’s only a matter of time before Hungary get to a major tournament.”
Keane’s comments point to a manager confident in both his team’s trajectory but fully aware of the challenge Rangers pose despite their stuttering European campaign.
The match kicks off at the Ferencváros Stadion tomorrow at 5.45pm UK time and the match will be live on TNT Sports.