Kris Boyd has picked out the ‘battle of Britain’ clashes between Liverpool and Rangers as the highlights of the Champions League group stages - and backed the Light Blues to make Ibrox a European fortress.
The Reds learned of their three opponents for this season’s group stages after being placed in Group A alongside Ajax, Napoli and Rangers. All four Premier League sides will have counted themselves fortunate to avoid the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain from pot 1.
But while Champions League regulars Ajax and Serie A outfit Napoli present well-known opposition for Jurgen Klopp’s side, a European first is on the cards when they take on Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s ‘Gers - who toppled PSV Eindhoven in the final qualifier on Wednesday. And former Rangers striker Boyd has backed the two ‘battle of Britain’ clashes as the highlight of the group.
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“I think when you get to this stage of the competition you are just delighted to be there,” Boyd told Sky Sports . “To draw Liverpool, a battle of Britain, I’m sure the boys will be looking forward to it.
“It’s a great occasion for Rangers to be back in the elite level of European competition after a long time away from it. Confidence was built from a fantastic run last year (to the Europa League final), but with Ajax and Napoli as well it makes for a good group.
“When you look at some of the groups it could have been a lot worse, but every group will be difficult. With Ajax, Calvin Bassey will be going back to Ibrox as well, so soon after leaving (Rangers) for that massive transfer fee in the summer, so I’m sure he’s looking forward to that.
“Liverpool, for everyone in Britain, will be a great occasion with two clubs with great history going head to head. I’m sure that will be one everyone is tuning in for. Napoli were third last year in Serie A and have started the season really well.
“You would expect Liverpool to win the group and the rest, we will wait and see what happens, but I’m sure Rangers will be in there with a fighting chance.”
Key to the meetings will be the setting, with two historic grounds and incredible atmospheres to reflect the intensity on the pitch. Liverpool ’s trip north of the border will see them enter the cauldron that is Ibrox, and Boyd reckons his former side could use the bear-pit of a stadium to their advantage in the home ties.
“We have heard some top-class players speak about Champions League nights, Rangers at Ibrox and Celtic Park. It stays with you forever. They are two special stadiums that generate some amount of noise and atmosphere.
“I’m sure Rangers will be looking forward to welcoming the teams they have got coming because it’s been a long time. Everyone’s spoken about what the atmosphere did in the Europa League run. We saw it again against Union Saint-Gilloise to knock them out of the Champions League qualifiers so I think it can play a big part.
“The players though, especially at Liverpool, are used to playing in that atmosphere, Napoli and Ajax as well, so the Rangers fans will just be looking forward to hearing that Champions League song once again because it’s been a long, long time coming.”
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