John Hartson uses Rangers Cheltenham analogy as he insists Europa League Final run IS possible

Celtic legend John Hartson believes Rangers are a stayer in the Europa League.

And with the Cheltenham Festival on the horizon he believes the going favours Giovanni van Bronckhorst as his side carries a 3-0 lead to Serbia for the second leg against Red Star Belgrade.

James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos and Leon Balogun were all on target in Thursday night's whirlwind first leg that also saw Allan McGregor save a penalty and three away goals ruled out for offside with VAR's help.

And the former Parkhead striker reckons they don't need to go gung-ho at Red Star's Marakana.

Hartson told the Go Radio Football Show: "I think Rangers start conservatively, not so much defensively as they have a threat with Kent's pace and everything else but I don't think they'll risk, early on, going at Red Star Belgrade.

"Cheltenham next week, I won't having a bet, I haven't had a bet for 10 years.

"But it's like a two mile horse race and Rangers start with a mile lead.

"That's the situation. They start three goals up, think a two-mile horse race and they've gone a mile in front already and then the rest of the horses start.

"That's how much of a gain it is to go 3-0 up anywhere."

Hartson reckons there's every chance the current crop can repeat the feat of fellow Gers pundit Barry Ferguson's side from 2008 and go all the way to the final.

He added: "I think they could. You look at the other teams left in the competition.

"The likes of Braga, and there were a couple of big teams beaten last night as well."