Scoreboard Spotlight pundit Daris Nesbitt has given his thoughts on the latest European results for Scotland’s clubs, describing Rangers’ result as the worst of the night while praising Hibs and Motherwell.
Speaking after Thursday night’s European matches, Nesbitt felt Rangers’ latest setback was particularly disappointing after they had given themselves an opportunity to get back into their tie.
He said: “You look at the results tonight for the Scottish teams and you must say the worst one’s got to be Rangers out of all of them.
“Rangers tonight, that’s a bad, bad one for Rangers. Yet again, you’d think, right, they lost the first leg in Poland, they lost at home to Hibs in the league, you know, you think for Rangers’ sake to kick on, then they get the goal, you’re like, right, 1-0, 2-2 in the tie with the crowd, and you’re like, that’s just terrible.”
The result means Rangers will now continue their European campaign in the Conference League, where Nesbitt said they will play Jablonec.
He believes the Europa League is a more suitable level for both Rangers and Celtic, with the Champions League representing a significant increase in the standard of opposition.
| Team | Next European challenge | Daris Nesbitt’s view |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic | Champions League play-off | Believes the Champions League is a major step up in class and feels the Europa League is probably a more suitable level for Celtic. |
| Rangers | Jablonec – Conference League | Highly critical of their latest result. He also believes the Europa League is probably the level Rangers should be playing at. |
| Hibs | Conference League qualifying | Optimistic. He believes Hibs have a good chance of reaching the Conference League league phase and says they could have received a much harder draw. |
| Motherwell | Freiburg – Conference League | Expects Freiburg to probably progress, but believes Motherwell can give them a closer game than many people expect and will not go out without a fight. |
| Hearts | Rapid Vienna – Conference League | He mentions Hearts’ next opponents but does not give a clear prediction on whether they will progress. |
Predictions and views are those of Scoreboard Spotlight pundit Daris Nesbitt.
Nesbitt said: “I think the Europa League is where both Celtic and Rangers probably should be.
“The Champions League is, you know, an absolute step up in class, the teams that they play against.”
While critical of Rangers, Nesbitt was impressed by Hibs and Motherwell after both continued their Conference League qualifying campaigns.
He said: “Let’s not forget Hibs and Motherwell tonight, fantastic. That’s Hibs and Motherwell navigated through a few qualifying rounds in the Conference League.”
Nesbitt watched part of Motherwell’s match and was impressed by their football.
He said: “Motherwell, I watched a bit of the Motherwell game tonight, I thought they played some absolute excellent football. I think they’re in for another great season.”
He also praised the way Hibs approached their away match, believing they adapted as the game progressed and were comfortable turning it into more of a battle.
Nesbitt said: “Hibs, you know, they just grinded that out tonight, and it suited them to a tee.
“Hibs kind of, as the game gradually went on, just made it more and more and more, kind of like a, just a wee bit of a battle, and just got stuck in, and it suited them to a tee, going over there and getting 0-0.”
Looking ahead, Nesbitt believes Motherwell face a difficult challenge against Freiburg but expects the Scottish side to compete.
He said: “I think Motherwell can give Freiburg a closer game than people think. I think Freiburg will probably win, but Motherwell will give them an alright game.”
He was more optimistic about Hibs’ prospects and believes their draw gives them a realistic opportunity to progress.
He said: “I think Hibs have got an alright chance of making the Conference Group stages, or the League even, sorry. They could have got far worse, in terms of opponents.
“I think Hibs can do it. I think Hibs could make the Conference League, that’s my thoughts.”
Nesbitt also said Hearts will face Rapid Vienna, while Rangers will meet Jablonec and Celtic are preparing for their Champions League play-off.
He finished by returning to Rangers’ result, saying: “Absolutely shocking by Rangers tonight, that’s terrible by them.”
The comments are Daris Nesbitt’s own assessment of Thursday night’s European football.