Charlie Nicholas has told Rangers fans to brace for a night of Champions League drama at Ibrox - but reckons they will head to Eindhoven with an advantage. Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side host PSV on Tuesday night in a mouthwatering play-off round first leg.
A place in the lucrative group stage awaits the victor with Rangers bidding to return to the continent's top table for the first time in over a decade. Managed by Van Bronckhorst 's old pal Ruud van Nistelrooy, PSV have started the new season in red-hot form and sit top of the Eredivisie after also seeing off Monaco in the third qualifying round.
Pundit and former Celtic star Nicholas expects a rollercoaster ride in Govan but has tipped Rangers to come out on top in a classic. He wrote in his Scottish Daily Express column: "I expected Rangers to come back against Union Saint Gilloise and predicted that in my column last week.
"They picked up again at the weekend against St Johnstone. Malik Tillman is catching the attention and will be a big player in every sense going forward in these two games.
"PSV are a very good side and Joey Veerman is a top player - that was why Steven Gerrard was interested in taking him to Rangers for long enough. The big threat for me though will be Luuk de Jong.
"His experience and know-how will always be a problem. PSV are very good on the counter-attack and they will be bold. I also think Rangers need to be bold and if these two teams really go for it we will be in for a cracking night of football with loads of goals and drama.
"If I was pushed for a prediction then I would go 3-2 Rangers. If Ryan Kent is fit and Alfredo Morelos is on the bench then the Rangers squad is getting stronger."
If Rangers progress, Nicholas expects Van Bronckhorst to return to the transfer market. He reckons, although insisting Jon McLaughlin is growing into the number one role, that the Ibrox boss will want to sign another goalkeeper.
Nicholas said: "McLaughlin has done well in recent games but I still expect that if Rangers get through they will go out and sign another goalkeeper. I really do think Van Bronckhorst will have that view.
"If he wants to get to the Champions League level and maintain the club at that level, then it could be an area where he will upgrade. Funds would also be available if they were to qualify for the group stages."
