Rangers vs Tottenham: Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou anticipates a fierce battle at Ibrox in Europa League showdown

Under-pressure Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is set to return to Glasgow on Thursday to face his former Old Firm rivals Rangers. The Rangers team will be eager to add to the misery of the former Celtic boss as he navigates a challenging time in his tenure.

Postecoglou enjoyed two trophy-laden years at Celtic as he tormented Rangers by lifting five out of the six domestic trophies available during his tenure, including a Treble triumph in his second season.

But 18 months on from his Celtic exit, the Australian is finding life a lot tougher at Spurs.

Sunday's 4-3 home defeat to Chelsea means it is just one win in their last seven games in all competitions, and the love he enjoyed at Celtic is not being replicated in north London right now after he received abuse from fans in the 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth last Thursday.

His old foes Rangers will sense a chance to heap more pain on the 59-year-old, who won only once at Ibrox (D1 L2) while in charge of Celtic.

There is a wider significance too for Postecoglou's Ibrox reunion. Rangers and Tottenham are separated by just goal difference in the Europa League table, with Philippe Clement's side sitting eighth.

A victory for ninth-placed Spurs would not only ease the pressure on Postecoglou but move his side into the top eight, which would avoid a two-legged knockout play-off round in February.

But Rangers will feel they are playing Spurs at a good time following their resurgence in form that has seen them win their last four games, including a 4-1 Europa League win at Nice.

They will also have a fervent Ibrox behind them - and Postecoglou knows an "intense" atmosphere awaits on his Ibrox return...

Ange: We'll feel 'intense' Ibrox atmosphere

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou speaking exclusively to about his Ibrox return:

"I'm looking forward to it. I had a great time up there in the two years I was there [at Celtic]. Fair to say, Ibrox can be fairly intense and I'm sure we'll feel that.

"But it's a great stadium to play football in. The atmosphere, European nights. Even when I was there, they did awfully well in Europe - the first year I was there they got to the Europa League final.

"So you know how European nights, irrespective of their league form, they really rise for, so it's a good challenge for us.

"I'm also looking forward to being back in Glasgow and feeling the cold again and hopefully see some friendly faces among the others."

On his time at Celtic: "I loved being part of Celtic as an institution, as a football club. If you've got a bucket list of clubs you want to manage for a period, that's certainly one that would have been in mine.

"I feel pretty blessed to have spent those two years there. Not just for me, my family. I enjoyed my whole time there. I enjoyed Scotland. People were really, really welcoming to me. Even whether they supported Celtic or not, I always knew where their allegiances lied by the way they approached me.

"Everyone really made me feel like it was an experience that I would keep close to me for the rest of my life."

On whether he still follows Celtic: "Absolutely. I'm right on board. Brendan's (Rodgers) done a brilliant job, as I knew he would. He's got great staff there, great players. He's taken the group to another level. They're doing really well in Europe as well, which is brilliant.

"If they're on the TV, I'm watching it and loving the way they're going."

'A must-not-lose match for Ange'

News reporter Michael Bridge:

This Rangers match is not must-win for Postecoglou, but it is certainly a must-not-lose. Rangers fans would love nothing more than to consign the ex-Celtic boss to another defeat - and a loss also means Spurs could face the prospect of two more games in an unwanted play-off round.

Rangers in Europe are a different animal and Postecoglou will know more than anyone the atmosphere that awaits them on Thursday night.

As it stands, there is no pressure on Postecoglou from those above him at N17. He enjoys a good working relationship with chairman Daniel Levy but many will point out that could change if the crowd gets restless. It could also change if Postecoglou himself gets restless over a challenging summer window, or is hit with another injury crisis.

However, unlike his predecessor Antonio Conte, Postecoglou is expected to battle on with the squad he has, hope key players return and perhaps add a January signing or two.

January is an incredibly tough market but News understands transfer discussions have taken place and will continue to do so. The board also recognise Spurs are in a decent position in Europe, have a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United at home next Thursday, live on , and are not a million miles away from the European places.

Postecoglou enjoyed a pretty stress-free first few months in his tenure and such a strong start perhaps exaggerated expectations on a side losing one of the best strikers, if not the best, in the world in Harry Kane.

It's now year two - the year Ange says he "always wins a trophy". Perhaps even the quote has been twisted to suggest he's promising one for Spurs in his second season. That's the scrutiny he now finds himself under on top of the daily debate over his supposed stubbornness to adapt and attacking style of play.

As Postecoglou says himself - he's at the club because the previous regime, one way or another, didn't deliver. Some fans will point to the board. Levy is not going to sack himself, so it is either a resurgence under Postecoglou or the supporters face the prospect of yet another rebuild.

Can Rangers shock Spurs?

' Scotland Editor Sahil Jaidka:

Over the past few years at Rangers there have been four different managers, countless transfers and mixed domestic fortunes. However, there has been one constant - Europa League success.

While many fans will dream of the Champions League riches, this is a competition that has brought out the best in the Gers - with the club reaching the last-16 in four successive campaigns. Now they're eyeing an upset of Premier League Tottenham.

It is a big week for the Ibrox club, with a League Cup final against rivals Celtic to follow on Sunday. However, positive results in both those matches would blow away any scars from a poor start to this season.

At one stage Rangers found themselves trailing Celtic and Aberdeen by nine points after just 10 games in the Premiership. While Celtic continue to pull clear, Rangers are now just two points behind the Dons, with a game in hand.

Three straight league wins, 10 goals scored and none conceded have boosted confidence and eased pressure on Philippe Clement. It's too early to suggest all the issues that blighted the start of this season no longer exist but the Belgian boss seems to have found a more consistent starting XI - albeit Ianis Hagi and Danilo will need to drop out of Thursday after being left out of the European squad - and the fans will get behind the team if a similar results continue.

There was a note of caution from Clement who - when asked about facing Tottenham and Celtic - told : "They are totally different kind of games, maybe we need to say financially out of our league, the two games.

"We're going to compete and it's a really nice challenge for our squad to show themselves in these games and what we can do against those teams."

Whoever the opponent, whatever their budget - Rangers fans expect results at Ibrox. The return of Postecoglou adds extra spice, with a Rangers win heaping more pressure on the ex-Celtic boss while the scrutiny on Clement would ease.

'Perfect timing for visit of Spurs'

Ex-Rangers captain Lee McCulloch speaking to News on Thursday's match:

"Probably for Rangers the timing is perfect.

"The way the team has played, the way they've defended in the past few games, the goals they've scored, the players being brought in to get game time like Danilo and Hamza Igamane - I think it'll be tight.

"Spurs are under pressure, you saw it when they threw away a two-goal lead [against Chelsea on Sunday]. Defensively they are giving up goals and I think that's the strong point of our team just now, so hopefully it will be a positive result."

On whether Clement's team selection will be impacted by Sunday's League Cup final against Celtic: "With the manager, it might be in his thoughts team selection-wise.

"Sunday is more important, especially with the points total we have in Europe.

"It still doesn't change coming to Ibrox, a full house and the demand you need to get a positive result."