Rangers are aiming to reach the league phase of the Conference League when they host Czech side Jablonec at Ibrox on Thursday night. The tie comes a week after crashing out of the Europa League against Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok, a result that left manager Derek McInnes without a win in four games.
However, a 5-0 win over St Mirren on Sunday, combined with the arrival of new full-back recruits James Penrice and Kosta Nedeljkovic, has lifted the mood around the club. Jablonec arrive in Govan on a six-match winning streak, having conceded just one goal in that run, and are back in European competition after a four-year absence.
Scott McDermott: Rangers 3 Jablonec 1
Rangers will take confidence from Sunday’s win over St Mirren and can rack up more goals at Ibrox. Derek McInnes is expected to adopt a similar shape and system. With the home crowd behind them, Rangers can secure a healthy lead before heading to the Czech Republic. The side still looks fragile defensively, so the visitors could score, but a victory here should be enough to see them through the tie.
Andy Newport: Rangers 2 Jablonec 0
The Czechs are no mugs and come to Glasgow on the back of six straight wins. Rangers have had a much tougher start to the season, but Sunday’s win should be the springboard for an upturn in fortunes. With new full-backs Penrice and Nedeljkovic on board, McInnes will hope his side is now more robust. He will need wide men Djeidi Gassama and Daisuke Yokota to turn up, and if they do, Rangers should pick up a healthy lead to take with them to the Czech Republic.
Gavin Berry: Rangers 2 Jablonec 1
Back in Europe after a four-year absence, the Czechs have made an impressive start to the season with a six-game winning streak and conceding just one goal. They will be a tough nut to crack, but Rangers’ display against St Mirren showed what they can do if they hit top gear, albeit Jablonec will be a stiffer test.
Michael Gannon: Rangers 3 Jablonec 0
Rangers should have enough to take care of Jablonec with some room to spare. The Czechs might be awkward, but if McInnes’ men get ahead early, they can secure a bit of daylight ahead of the second leg.
Fraser Wilson: Rangers 2 Jablonec 1
Another step into the unknown for Rangers – but Jablonec’s perfect start to the Czech league season shows they will carry a threat. Six wins on the bounce in all competitions coming to Govan suggests a team with their tails up. Rangers should have enough for a narrow win, but whether it is enough over in the Czech Republic next week is the big question.
Graeme Young: Rangers 2 Jablonec 0
Rangers are running into another in-form side, but there was enough in the dominant win over St Mirren to suggest they can right the wrongs of their loss to Jagiellonia Bialystok. Expect a more aggressive approach to yield a vital first-leg win.
