Champions League Qualifying Betting: FBK Kaunas v Rangers

FBK Kaunas v Rangers. Live on BBC2 Scotland. Kick Off 6.05pm Tuesday.

The phrase ‘most important game of the season’ gets used far too often but I’m prepared to use this old cliché to sum up the gravity of the situation facing Rangers tomorrow night. Failure to get past the Lithuanians could have monumental repercussions for years to come for the Ibrox club. It’s that serious.

Having lost out in the SPL title for three years running, its clear that Rangers trail Celtic on the pitch, but off the pitch the gap appears to be even wider. Sir David Murray is slowly attempting to rein in the debts that were run up as the club gorged on domestic success in the nineties, thus forcing Walter Smith to now shop in the transfer equivalent of Lidl. Celtic may not exactly be shopping in Harrods but rumours would suggest they’re peering into the windows of Sainsbury’s.

Failure at this stage of the European campaign would not only deprive Rangers of Champions League football but also a tilt at the UEFA Cup, from which they benefited handsomely on the financial front last season. Elimination would also hand Celtic the full quota of TV rights alloted for Scottish teams who participate in the Champions League. A few million pounds in the Hoops coffers at their own expense is something Rangers can ill-afford.

Boss Water Smith concedes that his team must improve quickly if they are to progress. His side suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday which epitomised a lacklustre pre-season to date.

The 0-0 draw with Kaunas wasn’t exactly the result the ‘Gers were hoping for but they built last year’s UEFA Cup run off the back of clean sheets at home – although amazingly it was the fifth time in 6 games that Rangers have failed to score in Europe – and any kind of score draw will suffice tomorrow.

Early odds suggest that Rangers should have no problem in getting the result they need given that the bookies have them as clear favourites at 4/6 (Coral). Kaunas are 4/1 (888 Sport, Bet365, Blue Sq, Boylesports, Paddy Power, Totesport) to get the win they need whilst the draw is available at 13/5 (Bet365, Boylesports, Totesport).

I think Rangers will do enough to progress but it might be a draw that takes them through. They’re 1/4 (Bet365, Betfred, Ladbrokes) to qualify from the tie but to me that is way too short.

However, I am drawn to the 33/1 available at Paddy Power on Rangers and Kaunas to win on penalties. Of course for either of those scenarios the game would need to finish 0-0 including extra-time. Given Rangers shot-shy strikeforce coupled with their resolute defence it’s not entirely out of the question and might be worth a small interest.

Last updated: Tuesday 11.20am

Selectabet Offers:

• Open an account at Bet365 and claim £100 in free bets
• Open an account at Betfair and claim £25 in free bets
• Open an account at Paddy Power and claim £25 in free bets