Stefan Klos predicts Rangers have nothing to fear from Jekyll & Hyde Dortmund

Stefan Klos watched Rangers in action against Borussia Dortmund – the first full 90 minutes he’d seen since Giovanni van Bronckhorst took over.

And Der Goalie was blown away by the quality on show as his former side rampaged to a 4-2 victory at the Westfalenstadion.

But Klos – who also starred for Dortmund during his illustrious career – has warned that the tie isn’t over yet.

Klos feels Marco Rose’s men are capable of overturning the two-goal deficit despite the Bundesliga outfit’s unpredictable form but insists Gers have nothing to be scared off.

And he feels that way even IF super-striker Erling Haaland plays at Ibrox on Thursday night.

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Klos told The Sunday Post: “I watched the game and I was really impressed with Rangers.

“It was not only the result that had me very respectful of them, it was the manner in which they achieved it. They played really, really well.

“The tactics from Giovanni appeared to be to get high up the pitch and not allow Dortmund to build from the back.

“For a Scottish team to play so boldly against Dortmund was very, very refreshing and probably a little bit unexpected. Overall, it was very powerful and impressive. Dortmund must have been taken by surprise by the tactics.

“Rangers were just very comfortable for long spells in the game. At times it looked as though Rangers had a man extra on the pitch.

“When Dortmund tried to press Rangers, Rangers always found solutions. Their movement off the ball is excellent. It was a very mature performance.

“But the fact Dortmund got that second goal to make it 4-2 means the tie is still very much alive.

“However, for all the quality Dortmund possess, I don’t think Rangers have anything to fear. They should feel comfortable without being over-confident.

“The reputation of Dortmund in Germany is that they are a Jekyll and Hyde team. Nobody is sure which one will turn up.

“It is impossible to predict how they will play.

“But even if they do bring their best game to Ibrox, Rangers can still do it. They are in a really strong position.

“Of course, Erling Haaland may well be back but he will not be 100% fit. I would be surprised if he could play 90 minutes at that level and intensity.

“Haaland is capable of being a matchwinner, that is true. He has the ability to get the better of any defender.

“But Rangers will also feel they can score. Dortmund don’t keep many clean sheets and that will be on Rangers’ mind, for sure.”

Watching on from his home in Zurich, Klos is delighted to see his former Gers team-mate Van Bronckhorst doing so well as manager.

He said: “I’m really pleased for Giovanni. He is a nice guy and I have a lot of respect for him.

“Since he took over from Steven Gerrard he has delivered very well.

“The defeat to Celtic has been the low point but there is still plenty of time to recover and win the League again.

“He has the team playing in the right way and there aren’t any long balls. It’s controlled and measured, you can see there is a thought process involved.

“Of course, being the manager of Rangers is all about winning trophies and being successful.

“Right now, Giovanni is doing very well. They are right up there in the league, still in the Scottish Cup and still in the Europa League.

“I hope that he continues to take Rangers in the right direction and I have a good feeling that he will.

“It would be nice to think I’ll get over to see the team playing. I’d really like that.

“The game on Thursday was the first time in a while I watched a full 90 minutes and I really enjoyed it.

“Normally, I just watch the highlights but this was really good. It was really entertaining.”

Klos sees Gers as the favourites to go through but doesn’t feel it is a foregone conclusion.

He still expects his former team-mate, Allan McGregor, will have a bit of work to do.

Klos said: “Allan is a quality goalkeeper and I’m really pleased to see him still at the highest level at 40 years of age. He really is quite something.

“With Allan in goals there is every right to feel confident of getting a positive outcome. He can pull off the most wonderful of saves.

“He will have work to do on Thursday, there is no doubt about that. He will relish that challenge, especially if Haaland is playing. That will be interesting.

“Rangers also have quality in other areas of the pitch and they can really hurt Dortmund.

“Ryan Kent performed to a very high standard and he had the beating of the Dortmund defenders.

“Giovanni will be looking to him to provide that same level. If he can do it, then Rangers will be in a really strong position to go through.

“What is also important is the Ibrox crowd. I loved the big European nights at Rangers and this falls into that category.

“Yes, it’s not the Champions League but the Europa League is very important. Rangers will want to go as far as they can.

“With 50,000 behind the team, anything is possible. Thursday is the chance to pull off the best European result the club has had for many years.

“There is plenty at stake and let’s see what happens. It’s very exciting and I’m looking forward to it.”