Dick Advocaat reckons PSV will be too strong for Rangers and believes a host of summer exits have weakened his former club.
The 75-year-old finally retired at the end of last season and told close pal Wim Kieft the Dutch side are the red-hot favourites in the rematch after summer of change led by Ibrox boss Michael Beale. Advocaat was Rangers manager between 1998 from 2002 and famously splashed out a record £12 million on striker Tore Andre Flo. But he remains unconvinced by a splurge which has landed the likes of Danilo, Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers – a trio who know all about the Eredivisie and PSV.
Kieft has lifted the lid on his sitdown with Advocaat. He said: "This week, I had lunch with Dick Advocaat and we talked about PSV's game against Rangers. He said he still follows Rangers and knows them well. And he thinks they have let their best players leave the club. He believes PSV have a very winnable tie now. I think last season's elimination will be on the minds of the PSV players, but they look very sharp right now.
"Personally, I thought they should have got through last season, but they are a better team this season and have an even bigger chance. But it involves a lot of money, so there is really enormous pressure and tension and that could yet play a part."
Meanwhile, Rangers have been told they will have to see off a 'world class' team in PSV Eindhoven if they want to progress into the Champions League group stages, according to Sturm Graz skipper Stefan Hierlander. The Austrian side were blown away by PSV 7-2 on aggregate in a game where former Motherwell starlet Max Johnston made his debut for the club in a 19-minute cameo from the bench.
He said: "PSV Eindhoven are a world class team. You could see the quality they have. We tried hard to make it difficult for them and I thought by scoring first it might give us a chance. But unfortunately, that just provoked them into a reaction and it didn't go as we hoped and it was clear the better team won both of the games.
"When you play teams like PSV, they punish you for every little mistake. Look, they were outstanding opponents - they exploit every error. You can't switch off for a second. They have proved they are a top, top team and I think they will go very far this year in the Champions League."
