There will be plenty of nerves kicking in around Glasgow today as Rangers take part in the second leg of their third round Champions League qualifier against Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox. Last season’s Europa League finalists are 2-0 down after a disappointing evening in the first leg, but they will be thankful that the all-important second leg is on their turf.
The Ibrox atmosphere is famed for its noise and its intimidation towards opposition players, a factor that could be a helping hand for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side this evening. And Rangers’ home form in Europe is on their side as they look to turn this tie on its head and progress to the play-offs.
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Across the European Cup/Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup and Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, Rangers have played 181 home ties and won 109 of them (60%) so historical form is definitely on their side ahead of the second leg. And since the beginning of the 2017-18 season, 32 European games have been played at Ibrox across both the Champions League and Europa League. Rangers have won 22 of those matches (68%), averaging 1.8 goals per game and conceding just 0.84 per game, showing that Ibrox remains a fortress.
In comparison, away from home the Gers have played 33 matches since 2017-18 and have only tasted victory on 10 occasions (30.3%) as they have averaged 1.42 goals per game and conceded 1.09.
On their way to the Europa League final last season Rangers made the most of a deafening home support, pulling out a number of key results on their fairytale run to Seville. Indeed, in last year's competition they came from behind twice when the second leg was at Ibrox.
Another boost for Van Bronckhorst and the fans for Tuesday’s clash is that they are set to see the return of influential winger Ryan Kent, who has missed the club’s last two matches through injury, and striker Alfredo Morelos, who returned to action for the first time since March against Kilmarnock on Saturday.
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