Ally McCoist raises white flag to PSV Eindhoven

Ally McCoist is getting the excuses in early ahead of PSV Eindhoven’s visit to Ibrox. 

Joining Celtic in the group stage of the Champions League is the prize on offer alongside around £25m while the losers will face the Thursday/Sunday routine throughout October and into November. 

McCoist is something of an expert in Champions League failure, scoring just twice in the group stage as a player, in 2011 he famously managed the club to defeat against Malmo with administration and liquidation following on within a year. 

As a player the former Question of Sport skipper first played in the Champions League group stage in 1992/93, he scored his first goal in 1996 with a penalty at home to Grasshoppers in 1996/97. In season 95/96 he played in six group matches without scoring against Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Steaua Bucharest.

Tonight he is expected to be part of the BT Sport team for the Play Off against PSV Eindhoven as the Tribute Act attempt to reach the group stage for the first time in their history. 

Picking up on his appearance on TalkSPORT, The Sun reports McCoist saying: 

It will be difficult, I’ll tell you that right now. It was a great result last week against the Belgians, however, it’s a completely different entity tonight. 

PSV are a team of far better quality, no doubt about it. They’ve got good players – Gakpo is obviously interesting Manchester United. 

A player that concerns or worries me a little bit is called Joey Veerman who was at Heerenveen and Rangers were interested in and tried to sign him. 

He went to PSV, and I fancy him. I think he’s a good player. He scored at the weekend, scored against Monaco. 

It’s a far tougher game for us but listen if we got out and play at home the way that, particularly, we’ve done recently in Europe then we’ll have a chance. 

I would be honest with you, I’d have PSV as slight favourites for the tie but anything can happen.  

Last season Malmo and Lyon both won at Fortress Ibrox.