Lech Poznan coach Dariusz Zuraw believes the organisation and attacking ‘potential’ of Rangers makes Steven Gerrard’s side a daunting Europa League opponent, speaking to Sport TV.
Just three years ago, the embattled Pedro Caixinha was standing knee-high in shrubbery, desperately trying to explain how and why one of Europe’s most historic clubs had just been swept aside by the fourth best team in Luxembourg.
It’s fair to say Rangers have come a long way since they hit rock bottom against Progres Niederkorn.
These days, a well-drilled, counter-attacking Gers team continue to punch above their weight on the European stage.
A 2-0 win away at Standard Liege last week, capped by that Kemar Roofe wondergoal, was the latest in a growing portfolio of eye-catching continental results from Steven Gerrard’s side.
So few will give Lech Poznan, tenth in the Polish top-flight at present, much of a chance against a team who have left Porto, Feyenoord, Galatasaray and Braga with bloody noses in the last year or so.
“Rangers play a bit differently than we do, most of all in a more solid and disciplined way in defence,” Zuraw says of a side who have kept a remarkable 13 clean sheets in 16 games this term.
“After losing (possession), the players return to their position very quickly.
“ Of course, they have a lot of potential in attack and after intercepting the ball they make quick counter attacks.
“The fact that they are losing so few goals is not a coincidence. If we manage to create some situations in tomorrow’s game, there won’t be many of them. Therefore, we must be very concentrated to use them.”
Clearly, Zuraw wants his team to be clinical when it matters against a Rangers side with one of the best defensive records in Europe at present.
Fortunately, in Mikael Ishak, they have a striker with nine goals in 13 games with two of those coming against Benfica last week.
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