Rangers v PSV Eindhoven: Home Comforts?

Ibrox welcomes PSV Eindhoven tomorrow night.

An odd feeling for Rangers. So often reliant on their ability to snatch results in the second leg away from home, Walter Smith’s team need to be on guard against that happening to them tonight.

Can Eindhoven do “a Rangers” on Rangers?

There is, as ever, some debate about what risks Smith will take in a home tie. The answer, as ever, seems to be not too many. A more attack minded 5-4-1 but still likely a fairly defensive 5-4-1.

The stats from the first leg suggest that Eindhoven failed to score from 15 attempts, six of them on target, and enjoyed the majority of the possession.

Seems a bit of a stretch to imagine Rangers will turn those stats around tomorrow. But if they are to progress they need to make an enemy of profligacy and take whatever chances they can create.

The problem is that Rangers European successes in recent years have come from their unwillingness to be beaten. That might not be enough.

Suddenly it is Rangers who are hostages to the away goal.

An added complication comes in the shape of Sunday’s Old Firm league cup final which Smith has said will influence his selection, notably in the return of Steven Naismith who the manager thinks will be unable to play a full part in both games.

Sunday will also make the idea of ninety minutes plus extra time plus penalties (the goalless route) problematic.

So Rangers need to score. And that will call for at least some attacking intent because you can’t hope to get a goal at home with a lone striker playing 30 yards in front of the midfield or by relying on Madjid Bougherra as one your most potent attacking threats.

And, the penalty option not withstanding, Rangers also need to win. And they don’t actually do that very often in Europe of late, Bursapor this season offering their one victory in 20 efforts.

So the odds would seem stacked against Rangers. That seems to have suited them in some of their European adventures of late.

I wouldn’t bet against them. But nor, I think, would I bet on them.

A low scoring game, with Rangers to go out either by the odd goal or on away goals.

Scottish Football Tonight: Home and Away

Europa League: PSV Eindhoven v Rangers

A confident Rangers flew out to the Netherlands yesterday promising to attack, attack, attack against Eindhoven this evening.

No.

They didn't.

Stressing the size of the challenge, the injuries in the squad and even one or two off field concerns, Walter Smith emphasised Rangers' underdog status against the Dutch league leaders.

So we can expect the parking of Brian Souter's entire fleet as Rangers revert to the hardy old European model.

Or, as they're in the Benelux region, perhaps they'll just build a dike along the 18 yard line.

That would, at least, give Davie Weir something to lean on.

Weir has actually said he might not retire at the end of the season. If he is to stay at Ibrox then Rangers will be erecting their famous defensive wall about one yard from the goal line by this stage next year.

Look, we know what to expect from Rangers in this one.

PSV would appear to be a sterner challenge than Sporting were in the last round. But Rangers are adept at this kind of game. So it's up to the hosts to hurdle the tactical obstacles Walter Smith puts in their way.

PSV have been scoring a lot of goals recently so in all likelihood this is going to be another in Rangers' series of siege like European nights.

Funnily enough, PSV have never beaten a Scottish side in European competiton, losing to both Rangers and Dundee United.

But got to back PSV to win this one. But I'm not sure they'll kill off the tie tonight, leaving Rangers down but not out.

Dundee United v Hamilton

Buoyed by their recent run of form and confident in their goalscoring ability, Hamilton will be looking forward launching themselves at this game.

No.

They probably won't.

Billy Reid's men are winning some plaudits for their approach and their performances in a few recent games.

But they remain as blunt as an antique butter knife and combine their impotence with an unfortunate habit of conceding important goals.

It's a mix that explains their current plight. Bottom of the league and looking doomed.

These two drew the last time they met. But United started off their run of home games with a win against Aberdeen on Monday.

They should get another tonight. Home win.

Rangers v Sporting Lisbon

A quiet few days for Rangers kicks off with a Govan welcome to Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League.

The teams last met in 2008 when Rangers were on their way to the final of the UEFA Cup. What Walter Smith would give for that to be an omen of good times ahead.

In his tactical preview for Scottish Football Forums, Andrew Gibney of Gibfootballshow looks at Walter Smith's options:

Much of the pre-match build is based over what system Walter Smith will play in the first leg. Does he stick with the tried and tested 5-4-1 or with some new players at his disposal he could go for a more aggressive 4-5-1. Lee McCulloch’s injury will have been a massive blow to any of Walter’s plans and it gives him a few key decisions to make before kick-off.

One of those formations would seem to be the most obvious decision for Smith. But rumours from Graham Spiers on Twitter suggest that Rangers might be going with two up front for tonight's game - or at the very least with another forward instructed to support Lafferty up front.

We've been focusing a lot recently on Rangers' loss of momentum in the SPL as Celtic have hit top spot. But what would Sporting, some 23 points being league leaders Porto, give to be within a couple of games hand from the top of the table?

So tonight perhaps offers a welcome distraction for the Portuguese. But is it an unwelcome interruption to Rangers' preparations for Sunday's Old Firm clash?

Smith says that is absolutely not the case. Much depends on the result. If Rangers perform well and get a decent result while avoiding injuries they are buoyed for the weekend. If they get beaten and the scrapes and bruises mount up then the hangover might last until Sunday.

Certainly Rangers will need to be fully focused in a clash which seems winnable. On current form neither of these sides are in the top ranks of the European aristocracy and it could be quite a tight affair. But there is no reason for Rangers to be overawed by the presence of the opposition.

And that might just make up Smith's mind when he weighs the benefits and disadvantages of showing slightly more adventure than he has on previous European nights.

The right attitude and the right start will get the crowd going and convince the players of their ability to win this game. A lot of that can come from the manager's choice of formation and tactics.

For Smith, the arch pragmatist, an emphasis on attack would also allow him to move the focus from the gap in Rangers' midfield caused by the absence of Lee McCulloch that Andrew mentions.

Smith might have cause to curse that absence before the season is out but a shift away from the no risks approach would be a way of papering over the cracks in the short term.

The European nights are drawing in for Smith. Why not let his troops off the leash for once?

It could be an interesting night at Ibrox. I'll miss it, happily ensconced in the local picture house watching The King's Speech instead.

And Rangers can't afford a stuttering, stammering performance tonight (that gag was so blindingly obvious I'm almost ashamed) because right now they look a side at the end of their period of pre-eminence.

They can't allow that feeling to be reinforced by a poor display against a struggling Sporting side before Sunday's Old Firm clash.

Scottish Football Blog prediction: A rare European win for Rangers in a close encounter.

> Nikica Jelavic ineligible, Kenny Miller gone, Kyle Lafferty not long recovered from illness. Could El Hadji Diouf play a big, big part for Rangers tonight. On STV's football site Zonal Marking suggests that seeing Diouf in the lone striker's role "wouldn't be a surprise."

> "A rare European win?" Rangers have won only one of their last 17 European games from open play, reports Roddy Forsyth.

The Scottish Football Blog News Feed

SPL in Europe: Draws

UEFA get on my goat. They really do.

Celtic, not SPL champion's, get knocked out of the Champion's League. Their reward for losing is to be seeded in the Europa League play-off round.

Motherwell get through two rounds, not the hardest of ties but tricky and requiring some negotiation, and don't get seeded.

Yes, fair enough, Celtic are stronger and had actually got themselves into the Champion's League qualifiers.

But until UEFA stop pimping the integrity of their competitions to best suit the bank accounts of the biggest clubs they should give up any pretence of these being great sporting events.

The governing body are continually diluting both the worth and quality of both their tournaments. And they should be ashamed of themselves. Yes, Platini, I'm aiming this accusing stare at you.

Anyway, the millionaires orgy, the rewarding of mediocrity, the administrative trick of turning defeat into something positive goes on.

Which means that big fat losers Celtic, Euro cavaliers Motherwell and not played yet Dundee United found out their play off opposition at lunchtime today.

Motherwell will play Odense, a trip to Denmark continuing their Scandic odyssey. Probably as good draw as they could have hoped for. Craig Brown certainly seems to think so:

"It's accessible for the fans and it's not too far to travel. I would hope it's an even game," said Brown.

"Some of the other teams like Manchester City were much more formidable than Odense.

"I have no complaints, the draw has been reasonably kind to us."

But has the draw been kind? Aye an' naw. It's an easier tie than they could have had. But it's hardly a debt busting glamour clash.

It's a good draw if they progress. If they lose, not so much. Nae pressure then boys.

Dundee United face AEK Athens. Not easy that. Home game first, away leg second. Tough.

And Celtic's prize for losing to the Portugese runners-up is a clash with Utrecht, the seventh best side in Holland last season.

Utrechtian (made that word up, by the way) defender Alje Schut was effusive as he greeted the draw:

“It is a fantastic draw,” Schut told Voetbal International. “Beforehand, we hoped to get a big opponent like Liverpool, Celtic or Borussia Dortmund."

Which might be a problem for Celtic. Schut has warned Neil Lennon's men not to underestimate the Dutch side. But if Utrecht over-estimate Celtic's strength then what should be a winnable tie could become a touch uncomfortable.

So all three miss out on the sort of "big" team fixtures that UEFA use to distract us from their dastardly plan to strip football of everything that makes it great.

But from those three ties we can say that one team in the Europa League group stages is achievable. Two teams is not impossible. That would be that rarest of treasures: a positive development in Scottish football.

Of course, if we end up with none then it will be time for the wailing and hollering that we're all much more used to.

*Ties to be played on August 19th and 26th.

SPL in Europe: Mirabor's Magical Mystery Tour

That time of year when the Fringe dominates Edinburgh. So Hibs v Mirabor is unlikely to be the biggest show in town tonight.

I'm actually going to see Kevin Bridges. Sorry Yogi, but one comedian is enough on a Thursday evening.

Mirabor have added a bit of spice with complaints about Scottish hospitality:

"The driver took one hour and 15 minutes to get to the stadium."

[Media Officer, Zelijko] Latin was also aggrieved that a fire alarm had gone off at the team hotel while the visiting players were catching up on sleep.

There were traffic diversions in the west of Edinburgh due to a gas explosion and a resulting criminal investigation, with congestion on the A71 Gorgie Road.

However, Maribor, who lead 3-0 from the first leg, were critical of the driver entrusted to get them from their West Lothian hotel to Hibernian's home on the east side of the city.

"He (the driver) circled the ground for more than 30 minutes," added Latin. "He told us he does not know where to go. It's weird the driver cannot find his way. We also had a fire alarm at the hotel as the players were resting this afternoon.

"After all we have done for our football friends from Hibernian we expect more respect. Such things are a big surprise to us. This will make us more motivated for the game."

I think they probably fell foul of the tragic events in Slateford and the crazy levels of traffic that seem to have been thronging round the Easter Road area over the past week.

Certainly I'd be surprised if there are many people at Hibs who would consider such underhand tactics. And those that would consider it probably lack the nous to pull it off.

So a storm in teacup. And it will probably take more than a spat like that to ignite a game that I fear will be damp squib.

Celtic won the battle but lost the war last night. I suspect Hibs will fail to get even the bonus of a home win tonight.

* The Motherwell game looks far more intriguing. A fine result in Norway was so close to being a great result but for Aalesunds' last gasp penalty.

So far, so good for Craig Brown in Europe. I hope that continues tonight and I've got a feeling that it will.

Good news too that the game is live on BBC TV and radio after all of last week's games were ignored by broadcasters.

* I've been drafting and re-drafting a post about Celtic's defeat last night. I've given up. It's too early to judge either Neil Lennon or yet another new look Celtic team. Financial ramifications aside, Celtic's Champion's League exit tells us very little about their domestic prospects.

And, of course, they remain in Europe with the chance to qualify for the Europa League group stages.

SPL In Europe: Hibs Look To History

Where there's a group of football fans, there's hope. Last week Hibs left me thankful that I've not got a gas oven.

Although I wish I'd remembered that before spending an hour with my head in the electric fan oven. This week's lack of blogging can be put down to my recovery period for severely singed hair.

But there's been time to ruminate on the piddling trifle of an obstacle that a three goal deficit represent for a classy footballing outfit. Obviously it's a slightly larger obstacle for John Hughes' Hibs.

But still, all is not lost. Yet.

And, as John Hislop recounts below, it's not like Hibs don't have form in the chasing a European lost cause stakes. Can't believe there's a not song Leith about Dino Zoff:

There’s much doom and gloom down Easter Road way following the first leg defeat in Slovenia on Thursday night, but that’s to be expected. Hibs fans fall into either the ‘glass half full’ or ‘glass half empty categories.’ At the moment, the majority appear to be in the latter.

OK, perhaps Yogi should have played Riordan and Stokes from the start, but that’s water under the bridge now. While I won’t be selling my car and putting the money on Hibs to progress to the next round, I agree with the manager, the tie is far from over.

One of the reasons for my optimism is that I can vividly remember overturning a similar deficit against a team much superior to Maribor.

It doesn’t seem like 43 years ago when the Hibs returned from Naples having been comprehensively beaten 4-1. By all accounts the game had been much closer than the scoreline suggested but it took a last minute Colin Stein consolation goal to give the manager Bob Shankly some degree of hope.

In fact the older Shankly brother told anyone who would care to listen that the tie was still very much alive, but most took his predictions with a pinch of salt.

The Naples manager certainly didn’t appear too concerned as he sipped a whisky in the director's box whilst watching his team train on the night before the game. Legend has it that he had decided to rest his star player, Jose Altafini, for the weekend derby, a mistake he would live to regret.

The return game was played on 29 November 1967 before a disappointing crowd of 21,000. This was my first European match, and I headed for my usual spot in the upper section of the old East terracing.

After 5 minutes, I witnessed the greatest goal I have ever seen at Easter Road, and the place erupted. Not only did right back Bobby Duncan hammer the ball past rookie Italian keeper Dino Zoff (whatever happened to him?) but he did it with his left foot to score his first ever goal.

Various subsequent accounts measure the distance from anywhere between 25 yards and 45 yards, and I appreciate that sometimes your memory can play tricks, but I seem to recall that he hit the ball from just outside the Albion Bar.

In any case Zoff was left helpless and, just before half time, Pat Quinn added a second to the delight of most people in the ground. With Easter Road buzzing, there were still a few moaning faced auld gits predicting we’d throw it away in the second half. I suspect their grandchildren now bombard the comments page in the Evening News demanding Rod Petrie resigns.

In any case, the rest of us couldn’t wait to get the Italians ‘down the slope’ and, sure enough, headers from Peter Cormack and Pat Stanton put us in a great position. Even then some were sure that it was just a matter of time before Naples scored to take the game into extra time and it was only after Colin Stein wrapped things up near the end to make the final score 5-0 that they accepted that we were through.

Being a youngster at the time, I assumed that these games happened every year, and when we returned from Leeds following a 1-0 defeat, I was confident that we would progress.

An early goal from Colin Stein was followed by an onslaught on the Leeds goal, but their defence held out. With extra time looming, Clive ‘The Book’ Thomas decided that he hadn’t received enough attention.

This was the man who blew for full time when the ball was in the air following a corner kick from Brazil during a World Cup match, so awarding the world’s first free kick for breaking the new 4 steps rule was just another notch on his whistle. He had conveniently ignored his fellow countryman Gary Sprake in the Leeds goal taking nine steps on one occasion as later proved by TV evidence.

The rest is history. Johnny Giles floated the ball to the back post and Jack Charlton headed an undeserved equaliser on the night to end another European run.

OK, I accept that we had better players in those days, but I genuinely believe that the current team could give them a run for their money. Especially since most of that team are now in their seventies.

Anyway, an early goal on Thursday night and who knows?

SPL In Europe: Celebrate

Alright, so Breidablik of Iceland are hardly the world's most fearsome football team. But credit to Motherwell.

First hurdle cleared, potential banana skin avoided, job done and various other congratulatory cliches are winging their way from Scottish Football Blog HQ to Craig Brown.

And a bouquet of flowers to Jamie Murphy:

ICE-COOL hitman Jamie Murphy fired Motherwell closer to Europa League qualification and made history in the process.

The Scotland Under-21 star boosted his Euro uro goal haul to five, equalling the club record held by Steve Kirk since 1994.

Murphy netted a European hat-trick last season in the same competition against Flamurtari and bagged a goal in the 3-0 win over Llanelli in Wales.

Motherwell's reward is a trip to Norway. And what a trip:

Motherwell are hopeful of arranging a charter flight to avoid a marathon trip to face Norwegian side Aalesunds in the third Europa League qualifying round.

Craig Brown, whose side defeated Breidablik in Iceland on Thursday, had feared they would face a two-day trek for next week's first leg.

He thought they might have to leave on Monday to ensure they had Wednesday to prepare for Thursday's match.

But a 60-seat charter flight leaving Glasgow on Wednesday is being explored.

The manager had made initial inquiries about how to reach the island sea port city of Alesund, 147 miles north east of Bergen.

It doesn't really sound the like kind of European adventure that will attract a lot of Motherwell fans.

Aalesunds qualified for Europe by winning the Norwegian cup for the first time in their history in 2009 and are currently fifth in the league.

I'm sure chickens will not be getting counted but this is another draw that could have been worse for Motherwell.

Let's hope so.

* Hibs will not be playing a rematch against Videoton after the Hungarians lost to Maribor 2-0 last night. That the gave the Slovenians a 3-1 win on aggregate. Hibs play the first leg away from home next Thursday evening.

SPL In Europe: Breidablik v Motherwell

Strange how life works out.

18 months ago Craig Brown would only have popped to Iceland if he'd heard they had a decent reduction on Werther's Originals.

That was then. Now he's masterminding Motherwell's Europa adventure.

With a 1-0 lead from the home game Motherwell have travelled to Iceland with a slim advantage over Briedablik. Brown is confident his team can get an away goal. But he's also had them practicing penalties so he's leaving nothing to chance.

The Herald reports that Jocky Scott has been leading the scouting missions for Brown. Oddly enough this is being interpreted as a good thing:

"Brown sent Jocky Scott to Iceland for a week to watch Breidablik play twice, and the former Dundee manager returned with two thick dossiers. Ahead of last week’s first-leg, which Motherwell won 1-0, Brown arranged a training match with the Fir Park club’s under-19 squad as opponents. The youths played according to Scott’s analysis of Breidablik, using the Icelandic side’s formation and tactics. It was so meticulous that the players even wore the same shirt numbers as the men they were impersonating."

Meticulous preparations or not, Motherwell might be in for a rough time:

"During his spying mission, Scott met up with Jim Bett, the former Rangers and Aberdeen midfielder who is now a coach at Valur. Bett described Breidablik as the best passing side in Iceland, and worthy of their place at the top of the league. The observation was in keeping with Scott’s own views"

Breidablik might not have offered a huge amount in the first leg but 1-0 is hardly a disaster for them. Could be a tough match for Motherwell tonight.

The Scottish Football Blog's line is unconditional support of all Scottish teams in Europe this year. Time to get a bit of a respect back for the SPL.

Unfortunately experience of many an early season Euro disaster dictates that I offer that support in the spirit of hope rather than any sense of expectation. I'd be delighted Craig and Co. can prove me wrong.

* Elsewhere tonight Hibs will find out their opponents in the next qualifying round as Videoton and Maribor meet in their second leg after a 1-1 draw in the first game.

SPL In Europe: Could Be Worse

There are no easy European games anymore...

...Unless you get drawn against an SPL side.

No, no. I jest.

We're on a roll now.

Well, a roll might be pushing it. But a winning start is all you can ask for.

Motherwell might not have raced out of the blocks against Breidablik last night but Ross Forbes' goal got them a win and they kept a clean sheet. Better to be rueing missed chances in a victory than in a defeat.

So Motherwell head to Iceland in good heart.

And the two European draws today have not been massively unkind to the three SPL clubs.

In the Champion's League Celtic face Portuguese debutants SC Braga, a clash that brings together the runners-up from Scotland and Portugal.

Clearly Celtic would have preferred to play the fifth placed from Luxembourg. But they've missed teams like Ajax, Fenerbace, Zenit St Petersburg and Dinamo Kiev.

It could be worse.

Of course the big problem for Celtic is that beating Braga sends them through to another round. So the Champion's League proper remains a big ask. But we knew that anyway, at least negotiating Braga would offer a confidence boost.

In the Europa League draw Motherwell will be heading to Norway if they can see off Breidalbik in the second leg, with Aalesunds FK waiting in the next round.

The Norwegian cup winners are making their European debuts this season. As with Briedablik they have the advantage of being well into their league season, lying fourth at the midway stage.

Again not easy. But could be worse. Providing the job gets done in Iceland of course.

Finally Hibs will play either Videoton of Hungary or Slovenian side NK Maribor who drew 1-1 in their first leg last night.

Again not powerhouses of the European game. Neither, of course, are Hibs.

But games that SPL clubs need to be looking to win if we're to start to show some improvement in Europe.

Fingers crossed.

Champion's League 2010/11 3rd Qualifying Round
SK Braga v Celtic (27/28 July and 3/4 August)

Europa League 2010/11 Third Qualifying Round
NK Maribor or Videoton v Hibs (29 July and 5 August)
Aalesunds FK v Motherwell (29 July and 5 August)

SPL In Europe: Eureka! Europa!

Traditionally this would be the post where I offer my expert opinion on Motherwell's Europa League opener against Icelandic side Breidablik.

I would warn against the dangers of the opposition's towering centre forward and give some indication of Motherwell's readiness based on their friendly games.

But I can't. Clean forgot to do any research because this article absolutely slipped my mind.

So my preview essentially extends to: Motherwell play in the Europa League tonight. Scottish clubs were a bit hopeless in Europe last year. Be nice to do better this year. Good luck Motherwell.

Here's a touch more from The Motherwell Times:

However, Craig Brown knows his men face a tricky test against Breidablik who are top of the Icelandic Premier League after 11 games following a 4-0 win over Stjarnan at the weekend.

The manager used last week's friendlies against lower league opposition to involve as many of his players as possible.

Breidablik visit Fir Park for the second qualifying round first leg and Brown said: "We don't want to use the fact they have already started their season as an excuse.

"We have now had 19 training sessions and three matches, and Archie Knox is one of the best in the business when it comes to pre-season fitness, so we should be fit now."

Obviously Craig has mastered optimism. But it does sound like Motherwell come into this game with better preparation than some of our teams have managed for these early European ties and in better shape than they were in losing a first leg to Llanelli last year.

John Sutton thinks so:

"I think from the training and management point of view we are a lot better prepared.

"Obviously we have a similar problem in that there have been a few personnel changes in key positions.

"I think with this team being top of the league, this is a much tougher proposition.

"You would prefer to go into it having played a few leagues games but hopefully things will click into place.

"There's no doubt they will have a bit of an advantage but we have prepared as well as we can with the fitness work and training. We're confident in our ability to play well."

But there is always something of the unknown about these games. Motherwell will have some trepidation, although hopefully a solid start can set them up for the second leg. Fingers crossed.

And it's nice to have "proper" football back.

Tika taka, my ar*e.

Motherwell visit the gods

Motherwell will play Iceland's Breidablik when they kick off the SPL's 2010/2011 Europa League challenge.

The first leg will be played at Fir Park on 1st July with the return match played seven days later.

Not much of a holiday for Craig Brown and his players.

Breidablik's home town is Kópavogur where, apparently, they are the smaller of the two clubs.

Still, there's no easy games in Europe these days, a wisdom that we might write of as a cliché if Scottish teams weren't so hell-bent on proving it to be a truism.

More on Breidablik here. (A translation might be required.)

Breidalbik was where the Norse god Baldur lived.

Baldur was associated with light, beauty, love and happiness.

Kind of like a Norse Craig Brown then.