Ibrox Stadium sets the stage for a high-stakes UEFA Europa League qualification six-pointer between eighth-placed Rangers and closest followers Tottenham Hotspur.
There’s nothing but goal difference to separate the sides ahead of Ange Postecoglou’s return to Glasgow for the first time since swapping Celtic for London in the summer of 2023.
Despite failing to win their last two league-phase outings, including a morale-wracking 2-2 home draw against Roma in the previous round, Spurs can finish matchday six inside the top eight with a win here.
However, they’ll likely have to fend off Rangers’ frontline without Micky van de Ven as the Dutch defender slumped to an injury in a 4-3 defeat against Chelsea at the weekend.
Posetcoglou defended his decision to play the 23-year-old despite his recent fitness problems, insisting his inclusion in the starting line-up was ‘not a gamble’ via The Athletic.
Whether or not he was correct, Van de Ven will probably not be part of the Spurs squad to take on the Gers in a must-win fixture on Thursday.
Potential turning point
Spurs wasted an early two-goal cushion against Chelsea last Sunday, extending their winless run in all competitions to four matches (D2, L2).
As a result, Postecoglou is under pressure to turn the corner, especially with Tottenham considered among the top contenders for Europa League glory.
Out of contention for the Premier League crown, this feels like Spurs’ best chance to arrest a 16-year title drought.
Postecoglou is familiar with the upcoming opposition, having beaten Rangers in six of his 11 matches against them during his stint at Celtic (D2, L3).
Tottenham can draw further confidence from their unbeaten historical record against Scottish clubs (W4, D2), but their recent away form spells trouble.
Last Thursday’s 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth marked their fourth loss on five road trips since a 2-1 victory at Ferencvaros in this competition in early October (W1).
But it’s time for a change of scenery.
Anything other than three points would significantly derail Spurs’ chances of locking down automatic knockout qualification.
