GLASGOW, Scotland — Rangers go face Athletic Bilbao tonight for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final at Ibrox Stadium. After enduring a tough six-match streak with five losses, including a recent defeat to Hibernian, Rangers dey ready to turn their fortune around.
Barry Ferguson, the interim manager, don shake things up with major changes to the starting lineup. Youngster Bailey Rice go don dey start for just the second time, as he joins experienced players like Leon Balogun and Ianis Hagi. Key missing players, John Souttar and Mohamed Diomande, dey suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
“We no go fit accept this run wey we dey face at home,” Balogun talk. “For this club, losses no suppose dey like dis. E dey on us to bring our performance back,” he add. Rangers kon dey face a monumental task to beat Athletic Bilbao, who dey fourth in La Liga and come off a 4-3 aggregate win against Roma earlier in the tournament.
Athletic manager Ernesto Valverde talk say dem dey peg Rangers as one of the toughest sides in the Europa League. “Rangers fit be favorites in this competition—na knockout stage. We respect their strength, and every match in Europe na tough,” he explain, as he look forward to the challenge at Ibrox.
For the home team, the fans get high expectations, especially as they prepare for a night filled with chants and energy from over 50,000 supporters. Matchday experience go be electric, with the spirit of past victories fuelling the atmosphere. This dey be Rangers’ 13th major European quarter-final since 2021.
Despite their recent struggles, Rangers show resilience in the competition. “We need to be more physical and tactical,” Ferguson urge. In the last five matches against Athletic, Rangers have not secured a first-leg win in their past seven European quarter-finals.
On the pitch, Athletic go come hard with their offensive trio, Iñaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, and Nico Williams, who don assist 51 goals together this season. Valverde talk say they want to exploit any opportunities against a Rangers side wey dey prone to conceding goals.
“This match fit give us big chance to show our true potential,” Balogun add. He remind everyone say, “E go take collective efforts and not just individual brilliance to win tonight.”
As match day nears, both teams dey prepare mentally and physically, with fans and players alike hopeful for glory in this exciting clash. Broadcast of the game go dey available on BBC Radio Scotland Extra, and action looms at 20:00 BST.
