Rangers 'can damage' reigning Europa Conference League champions but Clement's side fired warning shot
Both sides have registered six points from their opening three Europa League games so far this season
Olympiacos star Kristoffer Velde believes Rangers are capable of “causing damage” in Thursday’s Europa League encounter but has warned Philippe Clement’s men he’s out to make it a hat-trick of goals against the Ibrox club.
The Light Blues face a challenging test against the reigning Europa Conference League champions in Athens on matchday four of the revamped format, with both sides heading into the game after registering six points so far from their opening three group phase matches.
The Greek giants, who currently sit fourth in the Super League table behind Aris, PAOK and AEK Athens after ten games, spent £5 million to land winger Velde in the summer from Polish outfit Lech Poznan.
Having recovered from a slow start at his new club, the Norwegian has embarked on a mini scoring spree in his last two games and it’s something he’s desperate to continue against the Gers.
He admitted: “I am just trying to do my best and help the team. I have scored two goals in a row. Now I want to make it three against Rangers. It has been a difficult period for me since I signed, but this week has been good because of my goals and we needed the points.
“Every game is different and we will have to take a different approach against Rangers. I think we weren’t as intensive perhaps as we should be and we have been gifting too many chances to the opposition recently. I expect Rangers to try and hurt us with counter-attacks and if we are not fully focussed, they can damage us.”
The Greeks have been dealt a major blow after Turkish international midfielder Yusuf Yazici suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury against Asteras Tripolis last month, with manager Jose Luis Mendilibar commenting: “It is a huge disappointment to him and to us.”