Athletic Bilbao warned of Rangers 'trap' as Basque spy reveals the one thing Ibrox side are not
Bilbao make the trip to Ibrox for the first leg of the Europa League quarter final showdown on Thursday
Athletic Bilbao hero Rafael Alkorta has warned his old team that their Europa League quarter final clash with Rangers is a 'bit of a trap' and believes the Spaniards will be in for a bit of a surprise on Thursday night.
La Liga high flyers Bilbao make the trip to Ibrox for the first leg of the last eight showdown this week as they continue their bid to win the first European trophy in their 126-year long history, having previously finished as runners' up in the UEFA Cup in 1977 and the Europa League in 2012.
The Basque team warmed up for Thursday's tie by claiming a valuable point in their 0-0 draw away to Villareal on Sunday that has kept them six points clear in fourth place as they look to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since since 2014.
Boss Ernesto Valverde lead the side to glory in the Copa del Rey last season, but club legend Alkorta has watched Rangers up close and insists interim boss Barry Ferguson's side - who have lost their last five games in all competitions at Ibrox - are not your 'typical Scottish team' from back in the day.
Speaking to Estadio Deportivo, 58-time Spain cap Alkorta - who had two spells with Bilbao between 1987 and 2002 either side of a three year stint with European giants Real Madrid - said: "On Thursday, look, I've seen Rangers play three games this year.
"They're not the typical Scottish team from 20 years ago; they play, they try to play better football.
"We're all very optimistic, because the team is obviously showing us that, but I think those ties are a bit of a trap.
"It's true that Athletic's players aren't players who are going to go there thinking they're better, which they are, but I don't think they're going to be wrong.
"And then the return leg at San Mames, I think it's a nice tie for Athletic, and if they play things the way they've been doing so far, I think they're a team they can beat."
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