KAREL GERAERTS has pinpointed the threat of winger Rabbi Matondo as Union Saint-Gilloise bid to stun Rangers in the Champions League.
The Light Blues have their sights set on a place in the group stages this season after coming within touching distance of Europa League glory in Seville last term.
Boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has added seven new signings this summer in an attempt to bolster his ranks for the continental campaign and domestic silverware challenges.
Matondo arrived at Ibrox on a long-term deal after completing a switch from Schalke 04 and has made the trip to Belgium after missing the Premiership opener with Livingston on Saturday.
Rangers are expected to progress and book their place in the play-off round and Union chief Geraerts is well aware of the quality that lies within Van Bronckhorst's squad.
Geraerts said: “I think it’s very normal that Rangers for these two games are the favourites.
“They have more than us when you talk about budget, stadium, history. They’re a big team, so it’s up to them to handle that situation.
“We will go on the field playing with our qualities, being proud to make a good game - but showing all our respect to Rangers.
“Once we go on that field, and I’ve said this to my players from the start of pre-season, no matter if it’s a friendly game or a Champions League qualifier, I want us to go out to win the game.
“It will be 11 v 11 and that’s the message I’ve given to my players.
“They have a lot of good players. We’ve analysed them and they are a modern football team.
“It’s not like 20 years ago when it was long balls and fighting football. No this is really a team who plays from behind, with good movements and combinations.
“They have a lot of speed with players who go forward. It’s a very good army they have.
“One of the players we know well is Matondo. He played here in Belgium for Cercle Brugge. He was a good player and made a very good impression last year when he played against us.
“So Rangers are able to take the best players out of the Belgian league and take them to Glasgow.
“The top Belgian clubs weren’t able to keep them in Belgium so that means Rangers have a lot of possibilities."
The third qualifying round clash will be a historic moment for USG as they return to European action after narrowly missing out on the First Division title last term.
Geraerts has taken over in charge of Union following Felice Mazzù's move to Anderlecht as he replaced Vincent Kompany as boss this summer.
And the 40-year-old will be able to call on former Celtic keeper Logan Bailly as the Belgian continues his career as a coach at the Joseph Marien Stadium.
Geraerts said: “Logan has been able to tell us about Scottish football and Rangers. He spent a long time with Celtic and told us a lot about the derby. It’s a big game with a big ambiance.
“But he also told us that Rangers are a team who play football, not the kick and rush stuff.
“No they really play the nice stuff starting at the back with some nice combinations.
“He could only say positives things about that period. It’s good for us to have someone in our dressing room who knows how it is with Rangers.
“But of course in Belgium we love football and follow all the leagues abroad. If you speak about Rangers or other teams like Celtic, then we know these teams.
“We also had a good player from Belgium, Thomas Buffel, who played in Scotland also so there’s no mysteries.
“I’ve spoken to Thomas. He said they are a really good team with a big crowd and big names, so we will show them a lot of respect."
