Former Rangers star Dorin Goian admitted he’s unimpressed with his former side and has backed Steaua to take at least a point aganst them.
Goian – who featured for Rangers for just over a year in 2011 and even played two games in the Third Division before eventually leaving the club – has backed Steaua to pile on the pain for Philippe Clement when they go head-to-head at Ibrox in Thursaday night’s Europa League clash.
He said: “I saw the Rangers match at Kilmarnock at the weekend. They did not impress me at all. I thought they were very predictable when they attacked and nothing they did surprised me. Steaua Bucharest are in good form, the players are in good morale and just won a derby match. In my view, Steaua will get at least a point at Ibrox. They will be very motivated because the game is at Ibrox and they will enjoy playing there. I think they will be relaxed and I believe they will play an extremely good game and get a positive result.
“Ibrox is a very beautiful stadium. The fans sing, they support their team, but if Steaua play without fear and have plenty of possession, which I think will happen, it will silence the Rangers fans.
“I have been really impressed with Daniel Birligea – he is in great shape and scores a lot of goals. He’s a player who is on the crest of a wave. The only disappointment is that Darius Olaru cannot play because he is suspended. He is a big loss.”
Rangers will have to keep the Romanian Luis Suarez quiet on Thursday night’s clash, according to Steaua Bucharest’s owner. Romania international striker Daniel Birligea will be the biggest threat they face, with four goals in his last five games after helping shoot down rivals Dinamo Bucharest at the weekend and netting in both of FCSB’s Euro matches so far.
Never shy of an exaggerated opinion, loudmouth FCSB owner Gigi Becali reckons he’s very similar to ex-Liverpool, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid legend Suarez, who is still going strong for Inter Miami at the age of 37, and has slapped a hefty price tag on his star man. Becali said: “He is 23 years old. Once he reaches 25, he will be as good as Luis Suarez. He’s that kind of player and very similar to how Suarez plays. I have already put a £15 million release clause on him.
“To be honest, when we bought him from Cluj, I couldn’t believe we got him for £2 million. I was expecting to pay £8 million or so. Birligea impressed me at Cluj. He ran until exhaustion.
“Someone passed to him and he said he couldn’t do anything because he was so tired, but he still took it and managed to beat his opponent. But I didn’t know he was so great. He amazes me. I thought it was good, but not like that.
“He scores match after match. He runs, he presses, he’s aggressive and then when he gets the ball, he scores. We have never had a striker like him at Steaua.”