Rangers must ensure they quell Santi Cazorla against Villarreal

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Rangers are back in the Europa League but face a stern test to begin their group stage campaign, travelling to Spain to face LaLiga giants Villarreal.

A team with strong European pedigree in recent years, the Yellow Submarines have a familiar name pulling the strings in midfield that Rangers will need to quell if Steven Gerrard’s first proper managerial experience in continental football is to be enjoyable.

Santi Cazorla returned to his homeland this summer after leaving Arsenal on a free transfer, completing a remarkable story in the process that saw the veteran midfielder fight back from an injury that threatened to bring his career to a premature end.

There is a reason Arsenal fans always talk positively about the 33-year-old, as his ability on the ball and his first touch was second to none, boasting the ability to control the tempo of a game singlehandedly – which is going to provide a stern test for Gerrard’s midfield.

“I’d put him up there with some of the best who ever played with Arsenal. I’m sure fans will like seeing him but I’m not so sure Stevie and the Rangers boys will.”

– Ex-Arsenal defender Paul Merson has also identified Cazorla’s threat.

Villarreal have not really got going so far this season, failing to win any of their opening three matches before edging past Leganes at the weekend, which is a stark contrast to the fine form that Rangers have enjoyed under Gerrard’s reign.

Their young side has performed admirably, with the only defeat coming in the Old Firm tie with Celtic prior to the international break, but Cazorla is not the only man in the Villarreal squad with a strong pedigree.

Carlos Bacca, Manu Trigeros and Victor Ruiz create a strong spine through the heart of their ranks, while the likes of Pablo Fornals, Manuel Morlanes and Raba boast the ability to become a threat – especially with a player like Cazorla pulling the strings.

What the Spain international lacks, however, is the ability to get involved in the gritty areas of the game in a physical battle, due to his small stature and the fact there is also the risk of another injury always right around the corner.

Rangers need to keep their heads but will also need to be willing to go in hard in midfield, limiting the creativity from deep and suffocating the attackers.