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Introduction Dubbed by some Rangers fans Willem II vs William's 11, although Thursday's game will be the first ever meeting of the two historic clubs there is a strange feeling of familiarity about this early season Europa League clash. Again, Rangers’ opening Europa League fixture involved a trip to Gibraltar to play on the same plastic pitch, with almost the exact same result. Coincidentally, our Dutch opponents met our 2nd round opponents of last year, Progrès Niederkorn, and dispatched of them with the same 5-0 scoreline. And whilst it was later in the competition we met a Dutch side last season, pundits will draw strong comparisons between Willem II and last season’s 3rd round opponents, FC Midtjylland. As another young, up-and-coming side await, Steven Gerrard will be hoping for a similar outcome and a chance to set up a tasty tie with Turkish giants Galatasaray, almost 20 years to the day from their last visit to Ibrox in September 2000 when they were the holders of this cup (in its previous incarnation). The Opposition Whereas our potential opponents in the next round have gone from being a European powerhouse to something of a relic of a bygone era, Willem II have gone from seemingly permanent mediocrity to being the rising star of Dutch football. Barring a couple of short-lived purple patches, including a solitary appearance in the UEFA Champions League group stage in 2000, Willem II have historically been a bottom half to mid-table side. But since the appointment of World Cup finalist Joris Mathijsen to the position of Technical Director, they have gradually worked their way up the table from 16th to 5th, their highest finish since 2000 and 3rd highest finish in 65 years. Remarkably, this was achieved with a team of kids, and this is the secret to Joris Mathijsen’s success. What propelled Willem II from bottom-half mediocrity to the top table of Dutch football was primarily a very high success rate in the transfer market, picking up very young talent for small fees and giving them a platform to succeed in a free-flowing, attacking side. But if it wasn’t for the sale of Champions League finalist Frenkie De Jong from Ajax to Barcelona for £66m last summer, their steady progress wouldn’t have accelerated as much as it did last season. Counter intuitively, Willem II let the crown jewel of their youth academy join the top side in Holland for 1 Euro in 2015. In a sign of the times, Willem II resigned themselves to losing a future star to a bigger club for nothing. But only on one condition, a 10% sell on clause was inserted into his contract. The resulting windfall allowed Willem II to rebuild, and only 4 players from the 18/19 season kept their place in the starting 11. What resulted was an energetic, young side who took everyone by surprise by establishing themselves as a serious threat even to the top 4. Last season, Ajax had annihilated everyone who visited the Johan Cruiff Arena until, in a masterclass of counter-attacking football, Willem II shocked the league with a 2-0 win there in December 2019. 2nd place AZ Alkmaar wouldn’t be laughing for long though as the following month they would suffer the same fate at their home ground, with Willem II running out with a 3-1 win. The Tilburg side may be very young and inexperienced, but on their day they have shown that they can beat anyone. The Dangermen Willem II’s youthful front line carries a lot of threat. 21 year old Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis leads the line. He is technically very good, links up very well with the attacking midfielders and carries the ball well too. He has had a good start to the season and grabbed a brace against Progres and then Heracles a few days later. Directly behind him, you have arguably the star of the team in 21 year old Trésor Ndayishimiye. The Belgian youth international is technically excellent and very dangerous dribbling with the ball, playing through balls and shooting from the edge of the box with both feet. His talent hasn’t gone unnoticed, with reports that Leeds and Wolves are considering making offers. The other significant threat in the Willem II side comes from former Ajax youth player Che Nunnely, who plays as the right sided attacking midfielder. The 21 year old is known for his blistering pace, which will be a danger on the counter attack, but his double in the 2-1 win over PSV last season showed he can finish too. Rangers The set back at Easter Road will be a distant memory for Gerrard as he refocuses his team on the hugely important task of replicating the remarkable feat of previous seasons and reaching the group stages of this tournament. Gerrard has rightly earned a reputation as a European specialist and Rangers fans have every reason to trust him to deliver again in the Netherlands. Injuries to key players Joe Aribo, Kemar Roofe and Ryan Jack are a big blow at this crucial stage of the season, but largely take away the selection headache Gerrard might have otherwise had. Arfield has relished the opportunity to get back into the starting 11 and his performances against Midtjylland last season won’t have been forgotten by the gaffer. And although Hagi’s creativity is often key to creating chances, Kent’s relentlessness in closing players down and winning the ball back could be even more important against opposition who aren’t used to much aggression. Midtjylland struggled with the aggressive press of Rangers and it ultimately played a large part in their undoing, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Gerrard tried to do the same here Verdict Midtjylland were a side who were known for their technical ability and attacking flair, but whose defensive frailties were quite shocking to a Rangers support who are used to facing sides with no attacking flair whatsoever but whose defensive discipline would make Tony Pulis jealous. Willem II’s centre backs are decent, Swedish international Holmen in particular, but their full backs will be targeted and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Rangers finding some joy down the flanks. And whilst they carry a lot of threat, this Tilburg side are very young, inexperienced and will likely struggle with the physical side of the game. Without being complacent, Gerrard will have a gameplan which, if executed properly, will teach another young attacking side a lesson in European football. Predicted Score Willem II 1-3 Rangers Predicted Starting 11

And on the live feed it read “Willem II 0-4 Aberdeen” there. With the childish people in PQ you just never know if that kind of thing is a mistake, it seems to happen so often.

Absolutely amazed at how professional a job we done tonight, I would have jumped at a win on penalties! They showed first half they are a good football team, but we were more clinical. A great decision by SG to play the experience of shagger for this one. He knows that he makes big saves at big moments (that was Gerrards actual quote pre-match) and the 2 saves tonight were top class. Kent has really upped his game this season, long may it continue, another superb performance tonight, ably assisted by Kamara & Davis in midfield and both centre backs were on top form also. Another really tough match next week against the diving cheating Turks (I assume they are still like that!) and we will need a similar performance to squeeze through.

He's a top class professional. Never hides and is very, very good in the air (when not pushed by opposition strikers).

Worth noting by the way that they haven’t lost at home in over a year, and haven’t lost by a 4 goal margin since the season before last. They aren’t used to being being hammered, and certainly not on their own patch.

The reason Rangers play so well in Europe is the unbias referees, in Scotland we are up against cheating bias refs. Great win tonight, great 2nd half, very strong and you could see the confidence growing. My MOTM was Kent.

Booom - can't underestimate how impressive a performance / scoreline this is

Think we’ll need a third goal to be sure. This team better than I though they’d be.Kent is unplayable at the moment. Absolutely brilliant

No your wrong every successful team gas their tough man even the tippy tappy football at Manchester city without one you win hehaw just look at the scum Brown has our boys shitting themselves by sheer intimidation

Sportsound on BBC Radio Scotland is an Abertic Production. Tonight, four Scottish clubs participate in the Europa Cup qualifiers. Sportsound is providing live commentary on ra Sellik game in Riga, and further live commentary on Aberdeen’s visit to Lisbon. Motherwell in Israel and Rangers visit to Holland are reduced to updates. Aberdeen have played two Europa Cup games so far, at home to a Faroe Isles club, and away To Viking in Norway. Both games received live commentary. Ra Sellik have played two games also, a defeat of the Icelanders at home, and a humiliation at the hands of Ferencvaros in the CL qualifier at ra Stade de Gadd. Again, both games covered live by the Blarney Bhoys. By tonight all three games played by both Aberdeen and ra Sellik(six in total) all covered by live commentary. Motherwell’ two games against Northern Ireland Opposition were covered live,I suspect their third game in Israel is too far, and the PQ Palestine Solidarity Action will have been pushing boycott? Rangers one match in Gibraltar amounted to Al Lamont watching Rangers TV and a two minute report. It will be the same this evening, unless Willem win. BBC Scotland, run for Aberdeen and RaSellik supporters by Aberdeen and Sellik supporters.

Exceptional result v good opposition. So many good performances. Let's go scud Motherwell

Apart from his undoubted ball skills he really is quite physical and battles all the time. Still think we need to play him central

Brilliant result / performance. To win 4-0 away from home in Europe is a great achievement, they were no mugs and a very good side.

He’s much better played further forward. He’s best when the ball is being played in to his feet with his back to goal. We don’t have a choice tonight but he’s not a natural in this position.

No, I am not wrong - you are assuming that Rangers players will be officiated to the same standards as all other teams players - using Man City as a comparative is utterly pointless because English refs, whilst they may not be the best, they generally officiate in a balanced manner. Scottish refs don't - Rangers players, as we have seen plenty of times over the last few season, are shown cards that players of every other club don't. If you can't see the difference between how a Man City "hard man" would be treated by English refs vs how a Rangers "hard man" would be treated by Scottish refs (by comparison to other teams players) then I can't help you.

Absolutely, it’s five years since McLaughlin’s ridiculous performance at the immediate end of Warburton’s first match, a Rangers 2-6 win at Easter Road. Remember, Chris began his match report with, “four Rangers supporters have been arrested for alleged sectarian chanting”. He was engaged on social media a couple of hours later and claimed he had checked with the Match Commander, and claimed he always did so. Imagine our surprise when four weeks later, McLaughlin’s favourites were playing at Pittodrie and the usual IRA karaoke ensued. Again on social media, he made for sectarian chanting. Again, engaged on social media he claimed no arrests for sectarian chanting had occurred, and again referenced this with checking with the Match Commander. Truly, it was a shock to pick up the Aberdeen Press and Journal the next day, to find six of McLaughlin’s fellow Yahoos had been charged with sectarian chanting. Elderly, infirm,and lonely Rangers supporters pay the penalty for McLaughlin’s vanity.

No, I dont. However, just what do you think will happen if players take out retribution on the pitch ? The very same supporters were likely calling Morelos all sorts of names when he was getting sent off last season and the season before - now they want him to mete out his own retribution, likely to end in a red card. What an absolutely ridiculous, stupid suggestion. Aye, lets just batter into them, get sent off, drop points, lose the league, see Celtic get 10 IAR.... and then we will blame the players for not being disciplined enough and missing important players at important times during the season. I honestly despair at how our fans work the thought processes through sometimes.

No doubt we need to be physically and vocally stronger on and off the pitch. Problem is, as Morelos found out on Sunday and our manager yesterday, we're held to different standards in that respect.

I'm off work for the next few days so better get this online now. Lots of excellent individual performances: McGregor, the central defenders, Davis, Kamara and Morelos as well. Has to go to Kent though who, this season, looks to be such an important player for us. This next 10 days might prove difficult in that sense.

Just hope we don’t lose Kent before the transfer window shuts

Very good result. They caused us issues but we expected that as they play very open but the defence and Shagger especially were great. We schooled a young opponent in how to play European football tonight and that's the real pleasing thing for me as we've seen it happen to us through the years.

He just loves to block the ball with his face ?. We are actually spoiled in the CB area, I would be happy whoever is picked to play there.

That was so similar to Midtjylland. Such a good side on the ball, but so weak and naiive defensively it was unbelievable. We outmuscled them all over the pitch. Everyone played so much better in the second half too which was good to see after some dodgy performances in the first half. A very welcome confidence boost for the team as a whole.

Absolutely gobsmacked how easy that was. I was genuinely worried about tonight. Top class. Kent was excellent and Hagi had a really good second half. Two brilliant stops from Greegs too. Bring on the Turks

Hagi has recovered well in the second half

I was really really worried about this game tonight , shows what I know eh . Also stevie Davis absolutely strolling this match , in fact if you put the sound down I’m sure you can here him purrrrrr

Football really is a funny old game. We don't look comfortable at all at times, especially early doors, but we grab two goals out of nothing really and have a very nice half-time lead. I don't think we've played badly but without another holding player (such as Jack) we're opened up too easily and also give it away too quickly as well. Arfield needs to be more diligent in his defensive duties (again) and Hagi needs to look after the ball much better when he gets it. A lot more football in this game as I'd be surprised if they don't score. However, we look capable of scoring another ourselves so it's very much like the Midtjylland game @DMAA rightly discussed in his preview.

Great to be 0-2 up at half time, however this game is still open, they could/should have scored a couple of goals as well. Hagi is wasted on the right, he needs to play central. Kamara is a real powerful player on the ball, he looks like he could do so much more, he has the ability. Kent really can go as far as he wants in the game.

We needed that. They have been threatening and we have looked very nervous. Missing Jack.

Okay, now you have vented your spleen maybe you can say something constructive on how our players should withstand this violent physical barrage. No one is saying that the player who receives “the treatment” should himself retaliate right away, however, it looks like they are suggesting that an “enforcer” is required to stem the tide. Maybe more than one in the same team. I can remember teams all the way back to George Young, Willie Woodburn, Bobby Shearer, Ian McColl, John Greig, Graham Souness etc. which were well respected by their opponents, gentlemen all. I remember a Form Master at school who, just before he gave you the belt, would say to you - “ xxx you are allowed to half-kill a man as long as you leave the other half for someone else”. If we don’t introduce a form of self-protection into our play then it will not be a case of our team stopping 10IAR, but simply sitting back – as you would appear to be advocating – and watch another league be gifted to our opponents. I eagerly await your suggestions of how we can turn this situation around both on the pitch and changing the viewpoint off of it. Remember, wars are dirty.

Agreed. One or t'other but neither is a surprise and, in my view, a signal to the board that we're short in that area. Signing Itten and Roofe instead of a midfielder and Roofe was strange at the time and looks a worse decision now.

I’m more surprised to see Edmundson not even make the bench. I would be happy with him as emergency cover for defensive mid.

Surprised not to see Barjonas on the bench. One suspects the manager is making a not so subtle point.

Billy 2nd 0 the Teddy Bears 2 ryan of the Kent family fgs

Motherwell’s demotion must be retribution for dishing the Dons at the weekend.

We already help them all financially, without us the tv revenue would be non existent.

We've faced teams of a greater standing and perhaps quality and navigated the obstacle. Willem II is as much an unknown entity as the Danes were, Braga et al. Very hard to predict what will happen, not least in a one-off game. What I know is that if it ends tonight, I won't be screaming for anyone's head (unless he deserves it). BTW, I noted that the CL play-off round is a two-legged affair, is that the case with the next game too?

Gave it to Tavernier purely for breaking the deadlock. First goal is the by far the most important in these games.

As I noted before, Scotland has become the first Fourth World Country in terms of football government and administration. The gulf in standards and how they are applied is quite simply frightening.

An excellent preview as always mate - Willem II are definitely a very dangerous outfit. That's your preview on the main site!

What do you suggest? Build some bridges?

Not sure this is as clear cut as we might think. Cancelling games for no real reason will incur the wrath of SKY

Don't forget Compliance Officer and referees.

Did Scottish football help us? No they kicked us when we were down.

It sums up Scottish football. The guy who carried out the challenge suffers no repercussions, Gerrard goes up in front of the beaks. They're not even trying to hide it.

What the managers have said, Gerrard "Willem II are a good team. We know the level is going to increase dramatically from Thursday night, with all due respect (to Red Imps). They have exciting attacking players, they play with a striker who is quite physical called Pavlidis who is a goalscorer, a good player. So we know the level of the competition is going to get tougher. That's always been the case in the previous two years and we expect that when we face Willem next week. But it's a game that we are looking forward to.” Adrie Koster "It's great that a legend like Steven Gerrard will come to our stadium. He has a much better track record as a footballer than I did, but that won't matter now. He will do exactly the same as me...prepare his team for a big football match. I don't know his coaching ability too well, but I know the way he gets his Rangers team to play. They look like a good team - they don't play a typically Scottish way because they play a lot of good football. We face a team who like to keep the ball. We will have to be prepared to face facts that they will have a lot of possession. They have a very good striker in Alfredo Morelos and their full-backs both get up and down the pitch and are very athletic. They play almost as attacking wingers. It's important that we continue to play our own game. My players know exactly what to expect from Rangers and we know where their strength lies. But I am sure Steven Gerrard must have told his players about us too. We have to use our advantage in that we have a familiar pitch and stadium. That should give us something extra. It's just a pity we won't have our own fans there."

I'm surprised by the praise for Adam. From what I remember, the majority could only criticise him at the time. He was never utilised properly with us. It was only when he dropped into a deeper, central role, and where the team was built around him, that he was able to show his qualities.

I’m hearing Normans have landed at Hastings.