Athletic Bilbao v Rangers result predicted by supercomputer

  1. Rangers travel to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

Last time out against Ernesto Valverde’s men, the Gers held the La Liga side to a 0-0 draw at Ibrox despite

 

Rangers set for Europa League exit

The Light Blues put in a heroic performance to avoid defeat against Bilbao last week despite their numerical disadvantage and can take plenty of confidence from that.

However, Opta’s supercomputer has predicted that the Gers will lose in Spain on 17 April, handing Ferguson’s men a mere 14.3 per cent chance of beating Valverde’s side on away soil.

The supercomputer has handed Bilbao a 68 per cent chance of beating Rangers, while a draw stands at a probability of 17.7 per

Rangers will believe they can reach the Europa League semi-finals

Bilbao will fancy their chances of getting the better of the Gers on home soil this time around, and boast dangerous attacking players such as Spain ace Nico Williams and brother Inaki, who did pick up a small injury over the weekend.

Opponent Result
Dundee (A) 3-4 W
Hibernian (H) 0-2 L
Athletic Bilbao (H) 0-0 D
Aberdeen (A) 2-2 D
Rangers don’t head into their Bilbao test in good form

But in their remarkable Europa League run this term, which has come alongside a backdrop of a poor domestic season, the Bears have proven their ability to defy expectations and have shown plenty of character.

The Ibrox faithful must have feared the worst when they were reduced to 10 men in just the 13th minute on 10 April thanks to Propper’s red card.

But, Ferguson’s men stood firm and worked incredibly hard to play out a stalemate with Valverde’s side.

If Rangers can put in another top performance on Thursday 17 April, and keep 11 men on the pitch, there is no reason why they cannot see themselves through to the semi-finals.

Ianis Hagi makes ‘Incredible’ Rangers admission after shameful developmen

Ianis Hagi was the man of the moment for Rangers on Sunday after scoring a 96th-minute equaliser against Aberdeen.

The result means nothing for Rangers in terms of their own domestic season, but it stopped Celtic getting their hands on the Scottish Premiership trophy just yet.

A last-minute equaliser may also give Barry Ferguson’s men some momentum heading into the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final, away at Athletic Bilbao on Thursda

Rangers blasted for Hagi treatment

Hagi’s tenure with Rangers has not been smooth sailing so far.

With the 49ers Enterprises looking to complete a takeover at Ibrox, it’s not yet known who will be at the helm for the Gers, but whoever it is will have a decision to make over the 26-year-old’s future, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

The winger has made 23 league appearances this season, having missed the start of the campaign due to a contract stand-off with those at the top at Ibrox, although the matter has been resolved.

Nevertheless, Hagi has been continuously linked with a move away from Rangers as the summer edges closer with question marks over where his future lies.

Speaking live on the Record Sport Hotline podcast (14 April), Keith Jackson admitted he’s been unimpressed with the handling of Hagi as he said: “He’s been shamefully treated by Rangers. He was treated like a dog at the start of the season and further back than that.”

After the late goal on Sunday, the Romanian international was quick to put the record straight and shut down rumours that he wants to leave Rangers, although he admitted he doesn’t know what the future holds.

Jackson went on to suggest that he could stay put in the summer, as he said: “He’s been treated terribly. Really, really poorly, and the incredible thing is that I was listening to his interview after the match, and he was making the point that he doesn’t sound to me like a player that’s desperate to leave Rangers behind.”

Hagi could end up staying put at Ibrox

As Jackson says, Hagi’s recent time at Ibrox hasn’t been the best experience, and therefore, it has seemed more likely that he would be set to leave in the summer upon the expiry of his contract.

As a free agent and with no idea who will be overseeing the transfer strategy at Rangers, it wouldn’t be the most surprising thing to see Hagi exit, especially if there is interest from elsewhere.

That being said, the winger’s desperation to put on the record that he has no desire to leave Glasgow could be a signal to the club that this is a relationship that can be fixed going forward.

Appearances Goals Assists
23 4 5
Hagi’s form this season.

If the 49ers complete their takeover at Rangers, this could also have a massive impact on the mood and change the dynamic looking ahead.

It is likely to be a massive summer, with plans being put in place for a successful future and therefore, big decisions will have to be made.

Hagi may well depart Ibrox still, but until there is confirmation about who will be guiding the club ahead, the door can surely not be fully close

 


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