West Ham man gives honest verdict on Rangers ahead of Europa League semi-finals

Follow us on Google Discover

West Ham coach and England icon Stuart Pearce has branded Rangers “scintillating” after their run to the Europa League semi-finals – and is hoping the Ibrox club can pull off a shock to face the Hammers in the final.

Both West Ham and Rangers are preparing for Europa League semi-finals on Thursday. West Ham play host to Eintracht Frankfurt at the London Stadium in the first leg, while Rangers travel to Germany to take on Leipzig.

• 5 players Leeds could sign this summer, including Barcelona talent

Rangers have ripped up the script to get into the last four with some stunning performances – beating Borussia Dortmund over two legs, and then an extra-time win over the impressive Braga. They deserve their place.

But with injuries to Alfredo Morelos, Aaron Ramsey, Kemar Roofe and Ianis Hagi leaving Rangers bare up top – getting a result against Leipzig looks increasingly unlikely. West Ham assistant Pearce is hopeful, though.

“An England/Scotland final would be brilliant but we’re some way off that. Rangers have done great and those nights at Ibrox have been absolutely scintillating,” Pearce told TalkSPORT – as per Football Scotland.

“I’ll have my fingers crossed that they go all the way for sure. If that is the case then it would be brilliant, but I think both of us have got our hands full in the semis, that’s for sure.”

Pearce on Rangers: What are the chances of Rangers, West Ham final?

Anything can happen from this point in. Rangers are firmly underdogs and would have been even if they had Morelos, Roofe, Hagi and Ramsey to pick from. Roofe and Ramsey could return for the second leg, next Thursday.

Leipzig are a top, top side. Yes, they are nine points behind Dortmund, but they have turned their season around after a woeful start under now-Leeds manager Jesse Marsch. Domenico Tedesco has got Leipzig firing again.

West Ham should beat Frankfurt but again, Frankfurt beat Barcelona and with Filip Kostic in the side – anything is possible. West Ham, Leipzig looks the most-likely final, but the tournament might spring another surprise.