Steve Nicol has told ESPN that UEFA scrapping away goals in the Europa League marks the sole downside for Rangers after shocking Borussia Dortmund in their last 16 encounter.
The Ibrox natives pulled off a surprise win in Germany on Thursday night, having torn their hosts apart. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side sniffed blood early on and rarely let their foot off the gas to secure a 4-2 advantage for next Thursday’s second-leg meeting in Glasgow.
James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos and John Lundstram got on the scoresheet for the Gers before Dan-Axel Zagadou’s own goal. Ryan Kent also enjoyed his evening against the BVB right-flank, with the winger running riot in North Rhine-Westphalia to assist Lundstram.
Dortmund managed to save a late lifeline, however, with Raphael Guerreiro following Jude Bellingham in scoring for Borussia against Rangers. Allan McGregor was rooted to his spot as the Portuguese struck and kept Marco Rose’s side in touching distance after the first-leg.
Nicol feels UEFA scrapping away goals is unlucky for Rangers after Dortmund win
UEFA have dampened Rangers’ delirium from beating Borussia Dortmund away from home in the Europa League, though. Europe’s football governing body scrapped away goals in the competition from this term following questions over the rules’ fairness in two-legged ties.
So, instead of Dortmund having to score three goals without conceding at Ibrox to win on aggregate, they can take the tie to extra-time in Glasgow by beating Rangers by two goals.
Nicol feels the change is unlucky for Rangers after the job Van Bronckhorst’s side produced to beat Borussia Dortmund. The former Liverpool man also feels it gives BVB more hope of getting a result at Ibrox – providing Rose can get a better performance from his defenders.
“In the end, 4-2 does Borussia a favour,” Nicol said. “It means they’re still in the tie because at 4-1 and looking as though they could lose another one, they were looking as though they would be out of it.
“But the fact that, unluckily for Rangers, there’s no away goals rule anymore, then it gives Dortmund even more of a chance.
“The truth is, if Borussia Dortmund beat Rangers 2-0 to take it to extra-time at Ibrox, it would not be a surprise because their pedigree is better than Rangers’. But at the same time, if Borussia want go to Ibrox and defend the same way, they do have no chance.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
