Gregory Vignal, a former Rangers full-back, knows the challenges that lie ahead for his old club in the Europa League and warns them that their upcoming match against OGC Nice will be just as tough as their previous encounter with French side Lyon. Rangers were soundly beaten 4-1 by Lyon in October, a result that served as a harsh lesson for the Scottish side. Now, Vignal, who is familiar with both Ligue 1 and the teams in it, has cautioned Rangers that Nice will be equally dangerous.
Nice, currently sitting just behind Rangers in Ligue 1, will pose a serious threat in their upcoming Europa League clash. Vignal, who has close ties to the club, including a friendship with CEO Florian Maurice, believes that the French side’s form and style of play will provide a significant challenge for Rangers. Despite some differences, Vignal draws comparisons between Nice and Lyon, emphasizing that Nice’s squad boasts quality players such as France international Jonathan Clauss, former Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, and Canadian defender Moise Bombito. These players, along with others, make Nice a formidable opponent that won’t be easy for Rangers to overcome.
However, Vignal also suggests that Nice’s attacking style could play into Rangers’ hands, particularly with their counter-attacking capabilities. Under manager Philippe Clement, Rangers have had success in European away matches, and Vignal believes they could exploit Nice’s offensive approach by sitting back and then launching quick counter-attacks. He points to Rangers’ ability to break the lines with forward passes and make runs into space, making counter-attacking a potentially effective strategy for this match.
Vignal, who still keeps an eye on French football, is impressed by the style of play that Franck Haise has implemented at Nice. Haise, known for his attacking, high-intensity approach, prefers a 3-4-3 formation, often using speed and combinations on the flanks to create chances. Vignal also speaks highly of the club’s structure, with Maurice leading the charge and British owners Ineos backing the club. However, he acknowledges that there is some uncertainty regarding the club’s future, especially with Ineos’ investment in Manchester United, which could raise questions about Nice’s direction in the coming years.
On a personal note, Vignal reflects on how French football fans now view Celtic with more respect than Rangers, largely due to Celtic’s recent success in the Champions League and their strong transfer activity. This marks a shift from when he played, a time when Rangers were the more prominent Scottish club in France. Despite this, Vignal believes there is still respect for both Glasgow clubs due to their historical significance.
Looking ahead to Thursday’s match, Vignal believes Rangers can get a positive result if they continue their strong European form. He points to the team’s unbeaten away run in Europe under Clement and stresses that a good performance in France could give them a significant boost ahead of a crucial December. With the club undergoing changes, a positive result in Nice would provide much-needed momentum.
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