Alex Rae names Rangers threat who makes Genk tick as he delivers insider info on Euro rivals amid scouting mission

Former Rangers boss Alex McLeish and ex Ibrox midfielder Alex Rae helped nurture Genk captain and star man Bryan Heynen during the duo’s shortlived spell in Belgium - and he has been pinpointed as the biggest danger to the Light Blues Champions League hopes.

Michael Beale’s men have been drawn against the Jupiler Pro League runners up or Swiss side Servette in the third qualifying round for UEFA’s premier competition. Rae was No2 to McLeish at Genk in the 2014/15 when they just missed out on a top six play-off place off place on goal difference after taking over a team in 14th spot.

He went to watch his old side in Portugal last week and was quite proud to see one of their young players – Heynen – dominate the game. And he reckons he will be a major player if Genk get past Servette to face Rangers in the Champions League with the first leg of their qualifier in Geneva tonight.

Rae told https://altindex.com : “I watched them in the Algarve last week when they played Sporting Lisbon. They have really good technicians on the ball and they carved open several opportunities even although it finished 1-1. They are very much a possession-based side and they pressed high up the pitch when Sporting had the ball so they will be difficult opponents.

“They are great at promoting from within. When I was there under Alex McLeish Bryan Heynen was a young up and coming player and we were confident he would go on and do well. Now he is the captain and the main man in the middle of the park. He ran the game in the Sporting friendly. He and Patrik Hrosovsky are a great combination so it will be a great challenge for the Rangers midfield if it pans out that way.

“I would expect them to get something in Switzerland tonight against