Rangers face Athletic in the Europa League quarter-final at Ibrox on Thursday.
Rangers enter this tie after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Hibernian at Ibrox on Saturday. A day later, the La Liga side settled for a goalless draw against Villarreal.
After this tie, former Athletic defender and sporting Rafael Alkorta had a chat with Cadena Ser. He’s issued a ‘serious warning’ to the Basque club over facing Barry Ferguson’s Rangers and Estadio Deportivo have relayed his comments.
Athletic are currently fourth in the table, six points behind third placed Atlético Madrid. The two clubs have lost the least number of games [four each] and also conceded the least number of goals [24 each] in in La Liga this season.
This season’s Europa League final will be held at the San Mamés, the La Liga side’s home stadium. This makes it extra special for Athletic to make it to the final and to achieve it, they first have to overcome Rangers.
Alkorta graduated from Athletic’s youth system and spent 14 years of his playing career [during two spells] with them. He was also their sporting director between 2018 and 2022.
The former director has warned Athletic’s current player about the upcoming clash against Rangers at Ibrox.
“On Thursday, look, I’ve seen Rangers play three games this year. They’re not the typical Scottish team from 20 years ago; they play, they try to play better football,” he said.
“We’re all very optimistic, because the team is obviously showing us that, but I think those ties are a bit of a trap.
“It’s true that Athletic’s players aren’t players who go there thinking they’re better, which they are, but I don’t think they’ll be wrong.
“And then the return leg at San Mamés, I think it’s a nice tie for Athletic, and if they play the way they’ve been doing so far, I think they’re a team they can beat.”
