'Rangers face their most daunting assignment' - Journalists' predictions for Rangers v Bayer Leverkusen

The Scotsman’s football writers give their thoughts on tonight’s match

Rangers are back in Europa League action this evening

Craig Fowler

I have no idea how to call this one. Rangers’ last six fixtures were: Braga (win), St Johnstone (draw), Braga (win), Hearts (loss), Hamilton (loss), Ross County (win).

How the hell can you make sense of that? There is probably something to be said for them being suited to playing against a bigger team. There is more room for the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and Joe Aribo to operate as they're not facing packed defences, while the midfield of Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara and Steven Davis, while often lacking guile and penetration in the final third, can do as they do best and keep the ball for long stages.

Given Leverkusen's position in the German top flight you simply have to fancy them over two legs, but given what we've seen from Rangers at Ibrox in Europe so far this season, I don't think they'll gain victory tonight. Prediction: Rangers 2, Bayer Leverkusen 1

Stephen Halliday

The Europa League has been an oasis of serenity in another turbulent domestic campaign for Rangers but there's no doubt they face their most daunting assignment yet in the shape of Bayer Leverkusen.

While the Bundesliga side will respect the outstanding unbeaten home record compiled in the tournament by Steven Gerrard, the trip to Ibrox will hold no fear for a team whose away victories this season have included the scalps of Bayern Munich and Porto.

Rangers will not dominate possession on Thursday night, as they so often do in Scottish football, and that has previously suited their counter-attacking capabilities against high quality opposition in Europe.

But Gerrard will also need his players to be at the top of their game defensively against a Leverkusen outfit who have been free-scoring in recent weeks.

Rangers can retain that unbeaten Ibrox record but victory may be beyond them. Prediction: Rangers 1, Bayer Leverkusen 1.

Patrick McPartlin

Could this be the match that ends Steven Gerrard's impressive home record in Europe?

The Germans have scored 13 goals in their last five games, and 12 in their last five away fixtures and are pushing Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig at the Bundesliga's summit.

There's no arguing that Rangers have seen off high-pedigree opposition at Ibrox - Braga, Porto, Feyenoord to name three – but Peter Bosz's side will likely be a sterner test.

The Gers' recent stuttering domestic displays have been well-documented but backed by a rowdy Ibrox, they should be a different proposition in this game - and the distraction from league duty could be a shot in the arm for Gerrard's team.

I still think Leverkusen will prove too strong, however. Prediction: Rangers 1, Bayer Leverkusen 3

Joel Sked

A sensible head would look at the two sides, how they’re performing, the talent available, the value of the respective squads and think, 'well, there is only one winner'.

But football isn't sensible. Rangers in Europe isn't sensible. They may have stumbled massively in domestic football but still have progressed to the last 16 in the Europa League.

Players have talked up their ability in Europe and how playing in continental competition suits them. They have proven that with excellent displays against the likes of Porto, Feyenoord and away to Braga, while they showed their attitude to come from behind to the Portuguese side at home.

Bayer Leverkusen are a class act: they sit fifth in the Bundesliga after all, but there's something about this Rangers side in the Europa League. Prediction: Rangers 2, Bayer Leverkusen 2

Andrew Smith

The perfect storm looks set to blow away Rangers last lingering hopes of any real redemption this season.

As commendable as the European endeavours of Steven Gerrard's men have been this season - and it is extraordinary that they have lost only one of 16 encounters - Bayer Leverkusen are a significant step-up in quality from any of the seven teams against which the Ibrox men have acquitted themselves with distinction.

The bang in-form fifth-placed Bundesliga side - who can boast a win over Bayern Munich at the Allianz this season - arrive in Govan just as Rangers' season has disintegrated because the quality of their performances has significantly dropped down. The combination of these factors demands only one conclusion. Prediction: Rangers 1 Bayer Leverkusen 3