Rangers will have to shackle Anders Christiansen if they are to get past Malmo.

That's the view of Sweden hero Marcus Allback who has kept a close eye on the Danish international who has played a consistently starring role for Malmo since 2018.

Gers face the Swedish champions in their third round Champions League qualifier later this month but will do so in confident mood having themselves won their first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years last season.

Steven Gerrard's men have also started this campaign with victory over Livingston last weekend and will have momentum on their side when they meet their Euro foes.

But for Allback, 48, Malmo will not be pushovers for the Ibrox outfit. And though he feels there will be plenty of pressure on his compatriot club, he knows better than most how well they thrive on the difficulties of the desire to achieve - much like the Light Blues.

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"There is a lot of pressure on Malmo as well, especially playing at home first," Allback stated. "Rangers is a bigger name in history and a bigger club. Everything is about results and performances so pressure doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what has been before, all that matters is what happens now.

"It's massive for Malmo to qualify. They didn't qualify last season and the season before and the financial aspect of getting through is massive. In qualifying, Malmo have built something, but if you don't qualify for a few years the money goes out. There's not a huge amount of money coming in because in Sweden there isn't anything like what they UK has with Sky. It's vital for Malmo to continue their journey to be in the Champions League or Europa League every year.

"Anders Christiansen is vital for their game. He's experienced and has been their engine in midfield for some time. He's been their best player for the last two years and is really vital for them.

"It's going to be a tight game, it will be very tough. I've been following the Scottish league and in Scotland, you have two giants, but you don't have that in Sweden; Malmo aren't walking through the league. There are about five teams in Sweden that are fighting for the title, where in comparison Celtic and Rangers always fight for the title.

"Malmo are towards the top of the table and they're a good team with a good mix of youth and experience. Malmo as a club has been the giant in Sweden for the last eight years when it comes to going to the Champions League and doing well there, which has given then a financial foundation, which is so important today."

That Malmo are among a number of clubs always vying to be champions in their country, Allback believes it has helped them attract top quality players.

Those types of game-changers who can win matches on their own. And that, for the retired striker, will also stand them in good stead in terms of motivating themselves for their upcoming Gers tie, because they need Champions League football to continue enticing bigger names to sign on the dotted line. 

"That gives them a massive advantage in Sweden," Allback told rekatochklart.com. If there is a player on his way back to Sweden or might go to Sweden they are the team where they start looking, they have the muscle to bring home some players. It started when Markus Rosenberg came back to Malmo and he performed really well for them over a few years and they build a foundation, financially and it gave them a lot of experience. He and a few others showed that it is possible for a Swedish club to go to the Champions League and do well after many years."