The Gers are gearing up to take on Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier tonight at Den Dreef.
Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst will not be able to call up on some of their top performers from last season as the likes of defender Calvin Bassey has moved on from Ibrox.
Defensive midfielder Sands has been tipped to feature at the back and former Gers star Buffel has suggested that the American could leave space for the opposition as he is not a natural defender and that is one area Saint-Gilloise should try to exploit.
“Rangers lost their best defender [in Bassey] to Ajax”, Buffel told Belgian daily Het Belang van Limburg.
“According to the Scottish newspapers, Sands, actually a midfielder, will be in defence at kick-off.
“Union should take advantage of that, because he might leave room.”
Buffel added that Rangers are a difficult team to take on as they can play football in their own attacking style while they can also switch that up to a more physical style of play if needed.
“The quality of individuals at Rangers are a lot higher, but above they are a difficult team to face as a collective because of the mix of two styles.
“On the one hand, they try to play football carefully with a focus on attacking.
“But if that doesn’t work, Rangers can switch to the typical English football, with a lot of passion and struggle.
“You’re never really done with them.”
Rangers will hope to return from Belgium with a lead in the tie while the second leg at Ibrox is pencilled in for a week from today.
