Chris Sutton fires Rangers a Europa League warning as Celtic hero insists they 'can't afford' to miss Braga chance

Chris Sutton reckons Rangers have been handed a Europa League opportunity they "can't afford to miss".

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side have drawn Braga in the last eight after knocking out Red Star Belgrade on Thursday night.

The Portuguese side are a familiar opponent for the Ibrox side after a meeting last 16 meeting in 2019 from which Steven Gerrard's team emerged as victors.

And having already disposed of Borussia Dortmund and Red Star, Celtic legend and Record Sport columnist Sutton insists the quarter-final tie is an "open goal" in comparison.

"In footballing terms, this is an open goal for Rangers," he told BT Sport's Scottish Football Extra.

"They've come so far in this tournament, knocking out Dortmund - a big, big deal - and Red Star was a tough tie.

"But this is an open goal, one Rangers can't afford to miss.

"What an opportunity."

Co-pundit Ally McCoist, meanwhile, was thrilled by the outcome after the ties were drawn on Friday afternoon.

Rangers could have been paired with Barcelona or handed a re-match with Lyon but will take on either RB Leipzig or Atalanta in the semi-final if they get past Braga.

And Ibrox legend McCoist is taking heart from the fact Carlos Carvalhal's side finished as runners-up to Red Star in the group stage.

He said: "It's an excellent draw for Rangers, I'm really pleased with this one.

"Of course (they are beatable). You have to say, with Rangers' current form in Europe, anybody's beatable, but certainly with Red Star winning that group and Braga finishing second.

"We know football doesn't always work that way but it's certainly a tie Rangers will be very, very pleased with but not overconfident."