Rangers will need to step up another gear if they are to compete in the Europa League.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has admitted that Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla could be a major threat to his side on Thursday night.
The Light Blues have traveled to Spain and take on Villarreal in the first of their group stage matches in the Europa League.
The Gers will be hoping to pull off an upset against the La Liga side and will have to get the better of some top talents.
Cazorla, who returned to Spain after a six-year spell with Arsenal, is a creative playmaker that lined up against Gerrard during his playing career.
The 33-year-old has had horrid luck with injuries during his career, but has played three times for Villarreal already this season and has proven he can unlock any defence when he is on form.
Gerrard has explained his admiration for Cazorla and expects him to be a formidable opponents for the Scottish giants to face.
“I wish he (Santi Cazorla) wasn’t playing us tomorrow! He is a fantastic player – great on the eye and it is great for the game he is back,” Gerrard said in his pre-match press conference, as quoted by the club’s official Twitter account.
Cazorla is clearly at the twilight years of his career due to injuries, but is building some good fitness right now and is a former Spanish footballer of the year.
Rangers’ midfield are going to find it difficult if the pass master is anywhere near his best and will know how key it is to win the battle in the centre of the park.
But Gerrard’s side have earned their spot in the Europa League and the presence of Lassana Coulibaly in the engine room could be key to breaking up any Villarreal pressure.
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