Cedric Itten expects Rangers 'blast' against Servette but former Ibrox star offers Swiss foes key to Ibrox success

Cedric Itten has told Servette if they can survive the opening salvo against Rangers then they have a real chance of Champions League progress.

Swiss striker Itten flopped at Ibrox but has become one of the top forwards in Switzerland since returning to his homeland. He scored 23 goals last season, including a Treble against Servette in Bern, and worked his way back into contention for his national team. His two years at Ibrox didn't go to plan but the 26-year-old has understandably a figure of interest in the Swiss media now that shock troops Servette are gearing up for a Champions League double-header with Gers.

And Itten reckons surviving the early attacks, as well as getting the better of Connor Goldson and James Tavernier, will be the key. He said: "At Ibrox Stadium, it's going to be a blast! Servette have to be ready.

"Rangers will be pushing hard in the first ten minutes. Rangers will be pushing hard. You have to be prepared for that and counterattack fully. If you can get through that, a lot has already been won.

"Since Rangers didn't win the championship champions, they have brought in a lot of new players." And when asked for two players to watch, he said: "Centre-back Connor Goldson and right-back James Tavernier, who scores an who scores an extremely high number of goals.

But how does Itten see the tie going? "Servette surprised me in a positive way against Genk and did a great job," he went on. "They already did a very good job last time. Now they have added even more quality. Everything is open. It’s 50/50."