WOLVES' former Motherwell keeper John Ruddy is backing Rangers to stun Braga, despite the Molineux club's struggles against the in-form Portuguese side in the Europa League.

Rangers face Braga on Thursday with Ruben Amorim's men in ominous form. They beat champions and leaders Benfica in Lisbon on Saturday night - their first league win there for 65 years and are on an outstanding run.

Wolves have played Braga twice this term in the Group Stages of the Europa League. They crashed to a 1-0 defeat at home and drew 3-3 in Portugal.

And 33-year-old England international Ruddy - who had a successful season-long loan at Motherwell - has told Steven Gerrard what to expect from the Portuguese cracks.

Ruddy said: "Braga were a really good team, but I still felt we created more chances than them over the course of two games and should have won both comfortably.

"The first game at Molineux was a typical away European performance from them.

"They came with a game plan to frustrate and try to grab a goal. That's what we did but we had enough opportunities to win that game.

"The second match in Portugal was a mixture of a slow start from us and also the conditions. There had been consistent, heavy rain right up until kick off and the pitch over there struggled to cope. It played very heavy and that made it difficult to enjoy large spells of possession.

"In terms of their players, the Horta brothers - Ricardo and Andre - were probably the stand out players for Braga over the two games against us.

"Palhinha in the middle of the park was key in breaking up our play and preventing us from playing between the lines. Also, Galeno up front was a really willing worker and he put himself about.

"But Rangers have proved for the majority of this season that they're progressing well and I think Stevie has made an exceptional start to his managerial career at a massive club.

"I know they've had a bit of a slump after the winter break and have almost undone all the good work in beating Celtic.

"But in Europe, they still have a really good chance of beating Braga.

"Alfredo Morelos is obviously going to be key for them and I believe Rangers will create chances for him against them.

"They need to be wary of Braga on the counter-attack especially at Ibrox. In Portugal, they should expect a fast start from them. They have to get close to the Horta brothers and cut their creativity.

"If they draw Palhinha into areas he doesn't want to go, that will help, because I believe their back line is vulnerable."

And Ruddy is desperate for the Old Firm to qualify for the Last 16 and his Wolves side to beat Espanyol to set up a possible Battle of Britain showdown.

He said: "All the boys here spoke before the last draw about how special it would be to get Rangers or Celtic.

"I think that would be a mutual feeling for all the fans concerned.

"Ibrox and Celtic Park have special atmospheres at every home game but to experience it on a European night against another British club would be very special.

"Fingers crossed we all make it through and the next draw throws one of these ties up."