Jörg Albertz, who once played for Rangers FC, has predicted Ibrox will be bouncing and hostile for the clash with RB Leipzig this evening.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side host Leipzig in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final tonight, looking to overturn the 1-0 deficit from the first leg.
Rangers will fancy their chances of doing so at a packed Ibrox, having made their home something of a fortress in Europe this season.
The famous old stadium has already pushed them throughout the knockout stages of the competitions, with a 3-1 win over Brafa and a 3-0 defeat of Crvena Zvezda following a thrilling 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund.
The hope is that it can push Rangers on again in this game, with it all to do after Angelino’s late winner a week ago.
Former star Albertz is predicting as much anyway, having experienced the power of Ibrox on more than one occasion himself.
“It’s really hard to describe. It’s terribly loud at the beginning; the whole stadium is electrified, the players too,” he told RB Live.
“As long as they have a realistic chance of making it to the final, the stadium will be loud and wild.
“I think that’s exactly what Rangers wanted: the second leg at the Ibrox. They’re used to it. I loved it, but honestly, I liked it even more away from home. When I walked into Parkhead at Celtic, I was on fire.
“When you talk about traditional clubs, Rangers, who are already 150 years old, have to be right at the top. You can feel this history as soon as you enter the reception hall of the stadium. Everything is wood paneled there.
“The steps to the top are made of marble and then comes the wooden plaque with the names of the most famous players in the club’s history.
“Ibrox is living football history. Where else can you find that, for example, sitting so close together in the stands that you can’t fit a sheet of paper between you and your neighbors.”
