Thu Apr 10 18:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Rangers Face Athletic Bilbao in Europa League Clash: Can Their Style Match Up?
**Glasgow, Scotland** – Rangers face a challenging but potentially surmountable task in their Europa League quarter-final clash against Athletic Bilbao, according to The Times’ Michael Grant. The first leg takes place at Ibrox Stadium on Thursday, with the return leg in Spain next week.
While Bilbao currently sits fourth in La Liga and defeated Roma in the previous round, Grant suggests Rangers shouldn’t be intimidated. He points to Bilbao’s recent run of 1-0, 0-0, and 1-0 victories, suggesting a low-scoring affair is likely. This, he argues, could play into Rangers’ hands, given their strong defensive record in away Europa League matches.
“You look at it and you would think that Athletic Bilbao would be a step too far, but how many times have we thought that?” Grant stated on the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast. He acknowledges Bilbao’s strength but doesn’t believe they’re overwhelmingly superior.
Grant believes that if Rangers can remain competitive after the first leg, they possess a genuine chance of progressing in the tie. The anticipated low-scoring nature of the games could prove advantageous for the Scottish side.
First Piper 