Former Rangers defender Graham Roberts has ramped up the pressure on Steven Gerrard by describing tonight’s Champions League game as the biggest of his managerial career.
Gerrard’s side are trailing 2-1 in their third qualifying round tie following their defeat against Malmo in the first leg in Sweden last Tuesday.
However, Steven Davis’ last-gasp stunner has put the Scottish champions in with every chance of moving one step away from qualifying for the group stages of Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 2010.
But there’s extra pressure on Rangers at what will be a red hot Ibrox with fans returning, not only with a large financial boost on the line, but because the Gers lost their 41-game unbeaten Scottish Premiership run at Dundee United on Saturday.
That defeat at Tannadice Park equalled the number of competitive fixtures Rangers lost throughout the whole of last season in 90 minutes, meaning a victory is much-needed.
Asked whether tonight’s clash with the Swedish giants is the biggest since the appointment of Gerrard three years ago, Roberts exclusively told Football FanCast:
“I would say so, tonight there’s big pressure. The club will be banking on £30m guaranteed for the Champions League.
“If they get knocked out tonight, they go into the Europa League, which is not the same.
“They’ll be banking on that. It will be tough, but with the Rangers support back tonight and 50,000 screaming, it’s a tough old place for away teams to go, and the bears will suck that ball into the net.”