Four Things You Need To Know About Willem II Ahead Of Rangers’ Europa League Clash

Content Editor

4 years ago

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has warned his team that the Light Blues’ next Europa League opponents, Willem II, will be a major step up on Lincoln Red Imps.

The Dutch team had a good season last campaign and have begun this year in decent form as well, having overcome the Gers’ past nemesis Progres Niederkorn in the last round.

With the one-off game being played in Tilburg, rather than in Glasgow, the club will again have the disadvantage of playing away from home.

So what do we know about Willem II? Press the next page as go through four facts about the Eredivisie side.

Willem II are in good form

They may have lost their season opener against Heerenveen earlier this month but the Dutch side have been in red-hot form in front of goal in their last two matches.

After thrashing Progress Niederkorn 5-0 in the last qualifying round of the Europa League, they followed it up with a 4-0 league win against Heracles Almelo yesterday, with in-form striker Vangelis Pavlidis having picked up two braces in his last two games.

They have an experienced manager at the helm

Willem II manager Adrie Koster started his management career at the Dutch club all the way back in 1990. After leaving in 1991, he has managed seven other Dutch teams, including Ajax.

He has also had spells in Belgium and Tunisia as well as coaching Netherlands’ Under 21s and Saudi Arabia’s Under 23s. He returned to Willem II in 2018, guiding them to 10th in his first season in charge. They qualified for Europe last campaign with the Dutch season ending prematurely and Willem II ending up in fifth.

Willem II do lack European experience

Due to the season curtailment, the Dutch team’s qualification for the Europa League was somewhat fortunate. They have not qualified for a European competition since 2005 when they lost 5-1 on aggregate to Monaco in the first round of the UEFA Cup.

Willem II had not won a match in Europe until this campaign, having drawn four and lost eight of their twelve European ties. They have not met Rangers in a competitive game before.

Some famous names have played for the Eredivisie side

Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong played for Willem II before moving to Ajax, while Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk also came through the academy, although he didn’t get his senior debut before leaving for FC Groningen.

Another former Reds defender Sami Hyypia also played for them, along with the likes of Marc Overmars, (former Spurs midfielder) Mousa Dembele and Jaap Stam.

You may also be interested in reading:

Four Reasons Why Rangers Should Take A Risk And Make A Move For Cut Price Southampton Ace
Who Are Lincoln Red Imps? Four Facts About Rangers’ Europa League Opponents
These Four Stats From Ianis Hagi’s Display Against Livingston Will Worry Rangers Fans
The Three Potential Alternatives Rangers Could Consider As Move For £3.6m Midfielder Stalls
Five Things You Need To Know About Bongani Zungu As Rangers Close In On £3.6m Deal
Four Things To Know About Josh Maja: Morelos’s Potential Replacement
Five Free Agents Rangers Could Sign To Strengthen Their Attack Following Defoe’s Injury Setback
Five Things To Know About Terem Moffi: The Striker Who Is Reportedly On Rangers’ Radar