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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Isco sends Rangers Europa League warning over 'fortress' for group stage showdown

Real Betis star Isco has warned Rangers they will be blown away at their fortress ground in the final Europa League game this week.

Philippe Clement's side need to win in Spain on Thursday to be certain of qualification although a draw would be enough if Rangers match Sparta Prague's score against Aris Limassol in the other game in the section.

Betis will be missing six players against Rangers - Portuguese midfielder William Carvalho is out until the new year and Argentina's World Cup winner Guido Rodríguez is also missing for the game through suspension.

And they are also set to be without French playmaker Nabil Fekir, Spanish defender Marc Bartra, Chilean keeper Claudio Bravo, and Senefalese right back Youssouf Sabaly.

But they were unlucky to only draw 1-1 against Real Madrid at home at the weekend and are unbeaten at their Estadio Benito Villamarín all season, as well as in La Liga home and away since September.

Since losing to Rangers at Ibrox in the opening game of the group, they have only lost once in their next 17 games...and that was in the Europa League at Sparta Prague.

And former Real Madrid hero Isco - who won five Champions League and three La Liga titles with his old club - reckons any side will find it extremely hard to beat them in Seville.

He said: "At the Villamarín, the fans carry us in every single game we play.

"They have turned the ground into a fortress.

"When you have supporters like this, they drive us forward to play better and are a large part of why we have done so well here this season.

"We never think we will lose here.

"We could have won against Real Madrid, but when you look at the quality of the opposition, it's not a bad result.

"And we have to play like this in the Europa League too and in every match if we want to achieve what we think we are capable of.

"I think it showed the calibre of this team, because we went a goal down to Real Madrid and took risks. We did that and got our reward.

"But that is what Manuel Pellegrini wants us to do. I am very lucky he still has trust and faith in me."

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