‘Nkunku is top-drawer’: Rangers legend Jorg Albertz gives the lowdown on RB Leipzig

Jorg Albertz has been studying RB Leipzig closely in the past few weeks.

And unlike most Germans, The Hammer has been doing so in the hope of finding weaknesses that his former club, Rangers, can exploit in their Europa League semi-final.

The first leg is on Thursday at the Red Bull Arena and, despite the injuries to Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe that will see them miss the tie, Albertz reckons the Light Blues can exploit the German’s side’s defensive frailties.

He sees similarities between Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund, and hopes to see Giovanni van Bronckhorst adopt the same positive style of play that saw them win 4-2 in the Westfalenstadion the last time they were in the country.

With Morelos – a complete handful that night – and Roofe sidelined, the Dutchman will be lacking that physical presence and big-game experience in the No. 9 position.

Leipzig defenders, Willi Orban and Mohamed Simakan are both suspended for the first leg, so the Germans won’t be going into the tie at full strength, either.

But their main hitman, Christopher Nkunku, will be there, and Albertz has singled him out as the biggest threat to Rangers’ hopes of reaching the Final in Seville on May 18.

The Ibrox nine-in-a-row legend told The Sunday Post: “I’ve watched Leipzig many times this season, and they are a very good side.

“They were on an excellent run before losing to Union Berlin yesterday, and they’ve climbed the Bundesliga and got into the German Cup Final.

“So, as you would expect, their confidence is high. But they are not untouchable, and Rangers should go there believing they can get a positive result.

“The tactical approach Giovanni used against Borussia Dortmund worked very well. He told the front men to harass and pressurise the Dortmund defenders in and around their own penalty box.

“They deliberately denied the opposition time and space to build from the back, and work possession up the field into the final third.

“Rangers turned over possession several times, and it definitely put Dortmund off their stride, and took them out of their comfort zone.

“It can be the same this Thursday. If Rangers pressurise the Leipzig defenders, then they may well make mistakes. The key is to not let them find a rhythm. It worked against Dortmund, and we left there with a 4-2 victory.

“Listen, I’m not saying the scoreline will be the same on Thursday night. But I have confidence the boys can get a good result.

“We will also have to defend well. Leipzig can be exploited, but they are also a very, very good team.

“They have many quality players and the striker, Nkunku, is top- drawer. He has great pace and knows how to score a goal.

“The Rangers defenders have to be aware of him, and they can’t allow him a second on the ball. He is extremely dangerous.

“But they can play well all over the pitch, and have good players in Andre Silva, Emile Forsberg and Yussuf Poulsen.”

Albertz knows that the current Gers team is also full of talent.

From Allan McGregor to James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Steve Davis, Ryan Jack and Ryan Kent, they can all hurt the Germans over the two legs.

Albertz said: “It’s hard to believe I’m talking about my old club playing in a Europa League semi-final.

“It’s crazy, but it’s brilliant.

“The key thing for me is to keep the tie alive for going back to Glasgow.

“That’s what Rangers managed to do in the quarters against Braga. Yes, they lost 1-0, but they gave themselves a great chance of progressing, which proved to be the case.

“So they need to defend well, and take opportunities in the final third when they are presented to them.

“That’s me making it all sound simple and straightforward – but football doesn’t need to be complicated.

“It’s important that every player plays to the best of his ability, and we have some excellent players in the team.

“Ryan Kent can produce a wee bit of magic at the right time. We know Allan McGregor will produce a top save when he’s called into action.

“So let’s see where it takes us against Leipzig in the next two weeks. We could be talking about a European Final quite soon. That’s incredible.”

One of the most popular players with the Ibrox fans over the past 30 years, Albertz would join the supporters in Seville three weeks on Wednesday if the SPFL side got there.

He wants to see his former team-mate, Van Bronckhorst, lead the team to many successes.

Albertz said: “I have so much time for Giovanni. He is a great person, and a very good coach.

“Beating Celtic last weekend in the Scottish Cup semi was a brilliant result – and it was well-deserved.

“It was important to beat Celtic, and to do it in such a manner after going a goal down spoke volumes for the manager and his squad.

“But it didn’t surprise me. Giovanni is made of strong stuff, and he gets what Rangers is all about. He knows about the demands to deliver success.

“He had it as a player and won the Treble in his first season in 1999. He is now on the verge of something special in Europe.

“The Premiership is ongoing, and the Final of the Scottish Cup is always a nice way to finish a season.

“It could be two Finals in three days, and that would be phenomenal.

“I’d love to be there to cheer Giovanni and the players on.

“I spent time with him last month for the 150th anniversary weekend. It was nice to share some memories, as well as talk about the future.

“I know how much he cares for Rangers, and how much wants to bring as much success as possible.

“So I wish him the very best in the next four or five weeks.”