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Published 05/03/2025 at 18:32 GMT
While in conversation with Joe Cole, Peter Crouch and Rio Ferdinand, Ally McCoist stated that Tottenham Hotspur can win the UEFA Europa League this season. The Scot believes Spurs can outlast Manchester United in the competition and clinch the trophy despite their domestic shortcomings in the Premier League. The quartet also discussed Rangers' chances against Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce.
McCoist backs Spurs to win Europa League, particularly if they get key boost
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports pundit Ally McCoist believes that Tottenham Hotspur can win the UEFA Europa League this year, as they look ahead to their round of 16 tie with AZ Alkmaar.
Spurs' run of three straight Premier League victories came to a crashing halt as they lost 1-0 to Manchester City on Wednesday, leaving them 13th in the table.
Despite the domestic struggles endured by Ange Postecoglou's side, they did manage to finish fourth in the league phase in Europe, losing just one match in that run.
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They now face AZ in the last 16, live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Thursday, after the Eredivisie side stunned Roma in the league phase and dismantled Galatasaray in the play-offs.
"I think Spurs are going further," McCoist said. "I think Spurs could win it. If they get key players back, they get a boost. I honestly think Spurs could win it."
McCoist also discussed Rangers' chances alongside fellow TNT Sports pundits Joe Cole, Peter Crouch and Rio Ferdinand.
The Scot believes that his former club will make it past Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce in the last 16, but feels they will struggle from the quarter-finals onwards.
"I think Rangers will beat Fenerbahce but will not go further than Spurs or [Manchester] United," he said.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
"I think they can win the next tie against Fenerbahce, but sadly, I think the round after that might be too much for them.
"I hope I'm clearly wrong... I just hope the second leg is a [good] tie. Rangers stay in the game first and then get back to Ibrox and see how it goes."
Crouch intervened: "I thought they were really unlucky against Spurs [in their 1-1 draw]. They played well, but I don't think they can get past Fenerbahce, unfortunately."
'I'll be stunned if United get to the semi-finals'
Joe Cole, meanwhile, said that he would be "stunned" if Manchester United make it to the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Ruben Amorim has yet to oversee an upturn in form at Old Trafford, as his side languish 14th in the Premier League table.
In Europe, though, United managed to clinch third in the league phase table, earning them automatic qualification for the round of 16, and they travel to Real Sociedad in the first leg on Thursday - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
"I'll be stunned if United get to the semi-finals," Cole stated. "I'll be stunned. Spurs, I fancy more. If you give me one team [out of the two] I'd take Spurs."
The quartet talked about the club's chances compared to Spurs, and unanimously decided that the north Londoners have a better chance of making it further than Amorim's side.
"I'm just going with my heart over my head," Ferdinand said. "So I'm going to agree with you and say that Spurs will go further, unfortunately."
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