Rangers vs Nice: Europa League clash of the strugglers as Jack Butland makes defiant claim
Yesterday at 07:30 AM
Rangers were handed what looked on paper to be a Champions League draw in the new look Europa League.
Currently in 10th place and three points off second, Philippe Clement's position as manager is, probably, being saved by the Ibrox outfit's form on the continent.
Next up is OGC Nice, sitting a lowly 31st in the table of the Europa League league phase with no win to their name, but this doesn't tell the full story of Rangers’ opponents.
Rangers face a Nice side in form despite Europa League position
In two of the four games, the Ligue 1 outfit have had a player sent off, against Twente and Ferencvaros, two games they would have expected to win.
Their other two fixtures were against Lazio and Real Sociedad, the sort of teams that could beat anyone on their day.
Unlike Rangers, Nice are in a rich vein of form domestically having extended their unbeaten run to eight matches after beating Strasbourg at the weekend.
Rangers don't go into the game with quite as much confidence but know that a win all but secures progress to at least the play-off rounds.
This would make upcoming matches against Spurs and Man Utd less stressful and put less pressure on the final match of the league phase against Union Saint Gilloise.
Things can only get better against Nice, claims Jack Butland
Speaking after the dismal draw against Dundee Utd, Jack Butland was adamant that things can only get better:
“Thursday. That’s the reality of it. If it’s not today, it’s the next game, and it needs to happen. We’ve done it at times, and at times it’s not enough,” Butland said when asked when fans can expect to see improvements.
"I’m not going to go into excuses. I’m not going to make excuses for anyone or anything. It’s just got to happen. I’m sure you’re sick of asking the questions, we’re sick of having to answer them, but we’re putting ourselves in a position to have to answer them.”
