“Favourites or not, we have to perform”

Athletic Club centre-back Aitor Paredes refused to accept that the Lions are favourites for their clash with Rangers FC at Ibrox.

The first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie takes place in Scotland on Thursday night (20:00 BST / 21:00 CEST) and the hosts head into the fixture on a run of five straight home defeats.

"I don't like it when people start talking about favourites," Paredes said. "Rangers are a great team. They play very well in space and have dangerous players up front.

"We have a lot of respect for them because they have earned it. Whether we are favourites or not, we have to perform on the pitch."

Valverde warned that the match in Glasgow "will be a tough test because of the atmosphere".

He added: "Their fans really drive them on. They will feel well backed and they'll want to make up for last Saturday's defeat."