Jamie O’Hara has told TalkSPORT Edge that Rangers could qualify for the Champions League knockout stages thanks to their “unbelievable” form at Ibrox, but says Celtic will be knocked out and finish third in the group stage.
Celtic get their Champions League campaign underway on Tuesday night. Ange Postecoglou’s in-form side take on Real Madrid at Parkhead. Despite the 4-0 win over Rangers and their start to the season, they are sizable underdogs.
The Hoops have also been drawn against German outfit RB Leipzig, and Ukraine champions Shakhtar Donetsk. Meanwhile, Rangers take on Calvin Bassey’s Ajax on Wednesday – and face both Napoli and Liverpool in Group A.
Ex-Premier League man O’Hara gave his prediction on Celtic and Rangers. He thinks Rangers will finish second in the group stage and enter the knockout stages, but expects Celtic to finish third – and go into the Europa League.
“They’ll go out in the groups,” O’Hara said, on Celtic. “I’m sorry. They will finish third and drop into the Europa League,” O’Hara continued. On Rangers, he said: “The only saving grace for Rangers is they will have three home games.
“They are unbelievable at home and the atmosphere will be absolutely rocking. You know what, I’m going to give Rangers second in the group stages. They’ll get through, and then they’ll get knocked out.”
O’Hara believes Rangers will qualify but Celtic will be knocked out
It is an interesting one. Celtic look better-equipped and are in better form. But Postecoglou’s side, in recent tradition, have struggled more on the international stage – when comparing the two Old Firm sides. Ibrox is a huge weapon.
Rangers have already shown this season that their domestic form will not cloud their results in Europe. A stunning win over PSV Eindhoven has booked their places in the group stage. Both sides have a similar type of group.
A club that are likely to win it easily, and then a tough battle between the other three sides. Real Madrid will top Celtic’s group, and it is a shootout against Leipzig and Shakhtar. Liverpool should finish top of Rangers’ group.
But then, they will have a shootout with Napoli and Ajax. Arguably, the quality of Ajax makes Rangers’ group harder than Celtic’s. It is all to play for at this stage and it will be interesting to see how both clubs do come Wednesday night.
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