Ex-Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko shown red card just days before ‘insanely difficult’ Rangers clash

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Former Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko will line up against Rangers on Thursday night. Sviatchenko now plays for FC Midtjylland in Denmark, who will host Rangers in the Europa League qualifier this week.

The first leg is in Denmark and Sviatchenko will be facing his former rivals. But the five-cap Denmark international’s preparation has not gone to plan. He was sent off in Sunday’s win over AaB Aalborg.

With the scores tied at 0-0, Sviatchenko received a red card in the 54th minute to leave his team with a difficult task. But without the 27-year-old, Midtjylland still picked up the win thanks to Evander’s late goal.

This puts Midtjylland second in the Danish Superliga – level on points with FC Copenhagen after four wins in four games and just behind on goal difference. Their form is ominous going into the clash with Rangers, although Sviatchenko will be hoping to bounce back from his weekend nightmare.

Sviatchenko has spoken about the upcoming clash with Rangers. It will be the first time he has faced the Gers since the dramatic Old Firm draw at Celtic Park in March 2017 – when Clint Hill scored a late equaliser against the Bhoys.

Erik Sviatchenko on an ‘insanely difficult’ clash with Rangers

Ahead of the game, Sviatchenko said (quoted via The Daily Record): “I think our chance of going through is 50/50, but it will be insanely difficult. It’s going to be two exciting ties – Rangers will come to Denmark with a lot of fans and they have a really strong team.”

Rangers will be up for the battle against Sviatchenko, who played in the Old Firm derby five times. Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe will be hoping to inflict more misery on Sviatchenko, whose red card will still be fresh on his mind.