Rangers begin their Europa League campaign on Thursday night against Villarreal.
Alex Rae has told BBC Sport that he believes Rangers can finish in second place in the Europa League’s Group G, as they begin their campaign on Thursday night against Villarreal away from home.
Rangers are currently in Spain awaiting Thursday evening’s clash at Villarreal’s El Madrigal, after already playing eight matches to qualify for the group stage.
Beginning the qualification phase in June, Rangers travelled to Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia and Russia to finally book their place in Group G, where they will meet Villarreal, Rapid Vienna and Spartak Moscow.
Rae believes Rangers stand a chance among their Spanish, Austrian and Russian competitors, and believes Steven Gerrard’s side are capable of finishing in second place.
“It is a massive game but I don’t think it is beyond them, particularly with the way Villarreal have started. It is important they get a really positive result going into the rest of the campaign,” Rae said.
“The fact they have got to the group stage is admirable, considering they got knocked out in the first qualifying round last season, and had eight games to get to where they are now.
“Spartak Moscow are extremely difficult opposition, Villarreal are no mugs and Rapid Vienna is also a difficult place to go. But I feel it is a group where they may well nick second spot.”
Rangers will be without star striker Alfredo Morelos after he was sent off in their final qualifying match against Russian side FC Ufa, while Jon Flanagan is also sidelined for the same reason.
Rae was a part of the Rangers side when they last faced La Liga side Villarreal, who knocked the Scottish side out of the last 16 of the Champions League in 2005-06.
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