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How well have we done at Ibrox before?
The Lions first match at Ibrox saw Jim Leishman’s troops shock Scotland by drawing and almost beating the Glasgow giants during our first ever season in the SPL. Javier Sanchez Broto was the Livi hero of the day, pulling off impressive saves from Michael Mols and Claudio Caneggia. At the time, Livi Manager Jim Leishman hailed this match as "the best performance we have put in during our six-year existence.
Any players I should watch out for?
Davie Hay and the rest of the management team will not have to tell the Livi players about the threat that Rangers carry. They have international class players in Craig Moore, Gavin Ray and Henning Berg, but one player they will have to keep tabs on is speedy Dane Peter Lovenkrands. Lovenkrands is by far Rangers best players, but the Livi defenders have shut out the Ibrox man once before this season and there is no reason why we can’t do it again.
What are The Gers aims for the rest of the season?
The only thing that Rangers can hope to win this season is either the CIS cup or the Scottish Cup. The Scottish Champions were humiliated in the Champions league, finishing last in a group, which included Manchester United, Stuttgart and Panathinaikos. After last weeks defeat at the hands of Old Firm rivals Celtic, the league looks as if it heading to the east side of Glasgow.
Are the Rangers supporters happy about this?
No. The supporters know that Rangers are in deep trouble. They are over £60 million in debt, have a very limited budget to work with, and they are focusing in bringing in new players on free transfers. The supporters are 100% behind Alex McLeish, as they know he has a limited budget to work with, but the supporters are starting to get frustrated at their sides lack of ambition and if the Gers end the season without winning any silverware, then they will be looking for some answers.
What about the stadium?
Ibrox Stadium, home of Rangers Football Club, is the last word in state-of-the-art sports venues. In fact, it is one of only 12 in Europe accorded five-star status by UEFA. But unlike many other football clubs, Rangers have preserved all that is valuable of the old and combined it with the best of the new. Livingston supporters will be seated in the Govan Stand West corner of the Stadium, which is very intimidating as the Rangers supporters are situated all around you.
Prediction?
A tough match to predict, an early goal for Rangers would probably see them win the match quite comfortably, but if the Lions manage to hold them until at least half time, then we could maybe manage to get something from the match. Makel will need to be at his best against Arteta, Andrews will need to keep Mols quiet, but at the other end, Rangers can’t afford to give Fernandez or Pasquinelli a sniff of goal, because if they do, the Livi men will punish them.
