Thierry Henry has stated that he expected Rangers to perform ‘way better’ on home soil in the Champions League, but thinks they were in a ‘tough group’ as they are set to finish bottom.
The legendary striker also added that he feels boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst is doing a ‘good job’ at Rangers following their 3-0 defeat to Serie A leaders Napoli on Wednesday night, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (26/10/22 at 10:15 pm).
That’s five defeats from five for the Glasgow club in Europe, and regardless of what happens against Ajax next week in their final Group A game, then they will finish bottom because of their goal difference.
Rangers are one of only two teams that have failed to pick up a single point in Europe this term, Czech side Viktoria Plzen are the other, but they have scored three goals and conceded 20 to the Scottish side’s one goal scored and 19 conceded.
Either way, to try and breathe some life and lift the mood around the place, the fans will be hoping the team can end on a high against Ajax at Ibrox next Tuesday, but it’s a small matter of also having to deal with Aberdeen in between.
That is a big pressure game for van Bronckhorst because fans expressed their displeasure when they dropped points at home to Livingston last time out, as Henry shared his thoughts on the team.
On whether he is disappointed with Rangers and if he expected more from them in the UCL: “What about them,” laughed Henry.
“In that group, it was always going to be difficult, to be honest. I thought they were going to be way better at home. But I still think going to a Europa League final last year, and what they did, I think Giovanni is doing a good job.
“That was a tough group, come on! Have a look. That’s a tough group.”
THE PRESSURE IS ON
Rangers would have known from the get-go that they were in for a tough Champions League run given that they were in the same pot as the Dutch champions Ajax, last season’s finalists in Liverpool and Napoli.
Now, before a ball was kicked, the Gers would have fancied to perhaps secure a few points against Ajax and Napoli, especially at home.
But Napoli have probably been the best team in Europe this season, still unbeaten under Luciano Spalletti, sitting top of Serie A, top of their Champions League group and they even humbled Liverpool in Naples.
Despite that, the manner of defeats, especially to the Reds, hasn’t helped as the pressure is well and truly on Gio heading into Saturday’s game against Aberdeen.
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