Valencia loss leaves Group C qualification out of Rangers’ hands
Published:Rangers have left themselves needing to beat Manchester United in their next Champions League game if they are to realistically stand a chance of reaching the knockout stages of the competition.
Walter Smith’s side suffered their first defeat of the season when losing 3-0 in Valencia, which has seen them slip to third place in Group C with two games remaining.
They trail Manchester United by five points, but will still feel that they can make up the two points on Valencia to take second spot in the group.
However, Smith knows that if they are to make it past the group stages for just the second time in their 15 attempts then it is out of their hands.
He said: “Valencia have a home game against Bursaspor to effectively qualify for the Champions League (knockout stages).
“No disrespect to Bursaspor, but you would put Valencia as favourites for that game so it will be difficult for us.
“We need results to go for us but we also want to do well in our last couple of games.”
Rangers may come to rue their failures in front of goal in their home game with Valencia if they do not finish in the top two as they missed a hatful of guilt-edged chances in a 1-1 draw.
If Rangers do beat Manchester United at home and then take the three points in Turkey against Bursaspor there is still the possibility that they could finish top of Group C on 11 points, which can be backed at 66/1.
Meanwhile, they have experience of reaching the latter stages of European competition after making it to the final of the UEFA Cup in 2008.
Rangers are 500/1 to win the Champions League, which looks increasingly unlikely as they struggle to even reach the knockout stages.
Manchester United are 8/1 to win the Champions League, with Barcelona the 5/2 favourites. See the full Champions League winners betting odds market.
