ALEX MCLEISH has warned Rangers not to underestimate the challenge of Slavia Prague when they bid for a Europa League quarter-final berth.

Steven Gerrard's side booked their place in the last 16 of the competition with a remarkable 9-5 aggregate win over Royal Antwerp as they maintained their unbeaten run on the continent this term.

Goals from Alfredo Morelos, Nathan Patterson and Ryan Kent ended Antwerp's hopes at Ibrox before late Borna Barisic and Cedric Itten penalties added a deserved shine to the scoreline for Rangers.

Slavia would shock Brendan Rodgers and Leicester City as they won 2-0 at the King Power Stadium to progress to the last 16 and they will now face the Light Blues over two legs.

READ MORE: Slavia Prague boss relishes Rangers clash in 'beautiful stadium' and against 'great coach' Steven Gerrard

Former Ibrox boss McLeish guided Rangers into the knock-out rounds of the Champions League during his tenure and knows Gerrard won't treat the Czech side lightly next month.

McLeish told the Rangers Connection Podcast: "I think everybody will be looking at it and thinking ‘Slavia Prague are not one of the big names’. They are emerging and you think of the two boys at West Ham that Davie Moyes signed, that looks like fantastic recruitment as well.

"There is an emergence there. In saying that, Rangers have handled everything so far and if Slavia Prague are the best team left in the tournament I will be surprised.

"If the draw falls right for Rangers then there is no saying how it is all going to end up. There are superb teams left in the competition and Rangers have done their job up until now. Now they will face bigger tests.

 

 

"I think Rangers will go into it with the same diligence they did against the previous opponents. It was like a five-a-side game on Thursday night, it was end-to-end.

"The first leg was a seven-goal thriller and then Thursday night was the same. It was two teams going at it hammer and tong.

"I think there will be a bit of euphoria in terms of the draw but let’s not get carried away and say this will be an easy draw."