Former Celtic star Charlie Nicholas predicts Rangers will outlast Union Saint-Gilloise and reach the playoff round but he reckons a "scary problem" remains in a bid to land Champions League riches.
Gio van Bronckhorst 's side are in a hole ahead of the second leg at Ibrox with the Belgian upstarts boasting a 2-0 advantage heading into the blockbuster at Ibrox. And Nicholas has a gut feeling Rangers will use all 120 minutes at their disposal to take USG down in front of 50,000 raucous supporters.
But Nicholas is adamant it's time to add a creative spark to the starting XI who were caught cold on a shock night in Leuven. And he believes veteran midfielder Steven Davis holds the key to unlocking a team who proved resolute on home turf. Speaking to the Express, he said: " The Champions League pressure is on Rangers and it's up to them to show they aren't one-season wonders on the European stage.
"They need to produce a big performance at Ibrox tonight to overturn last week's 2-0 defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise. If they fall at the first qualifying hurdle then the manager, players and board would all come under scrutiny.
"The scary problem for Rangers is that Celtic are already guaranteed a windfall of tens of millions after going straight into the Champions League group stage, and that will allow them to flex their financial muscle again. That is why tonight is such a big game. Rangers beat better teams than USG during last season's run to the Europa League final, so that should give them hope. I think Giovanni van Bronckhorst's will come through, possibly in extra time, and the crowd will play a significant part in shaking up the Belgian visitors.
"Fit-again Alfredo Morelos coming back into the team for last weekend's Premiership win against Kilmarnock and getting a goal means there is a bit of momentum. I would be surprised is Morelos is thrown in straight from the start but don't bet against the Colombian being the man to deliver the goods at the end of this tie.
"Their midfield trio of Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara and John Lundtram weren't good enough in the first leg. There isn't sufficient creativity in there to get them over the line.
"Steven Davis was an unused sub in Belgium, but he got 90 minutes against Killie and made an impact because he is still their best passer. I expect changes to the starting line-up and I do think we will see a far different Gers team at Ibrox. If not, then it could be a really painful result for van Bronckhorst and what the club is trying to build. Rangers are in this position because they were awful in last week's first leg in Belgium."
Nicholas believes the comeback is on but he remains convinced a new goalkeeper is a necessity for van Bronckhorst's side aim to wrestling the title away from rivals Celtic. And he thinks the time is now to land another option between the stick to challenge Jon McLaughlin.
He added: "Jon McLaughlin was at fault for the first goal. That is acceptable - goalkeepers make mistakes or they keep you in the game.
"In fairness, McLaughlin made a couple of top saves after it. Still, it brings me back to the question I raised a few weeks ago, which is why have Rangers not signed another goalkeeper yet?
"We know Allan McGregor is no longer the answer and Robby McCrorie is clearly the third choice.
"McLaughlin is a good enough domestically but is he a top keeper in Europe? I would be surprised if Rangers don't bring in a new goalkeeper before the transfer window closes at the end of August."
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