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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Christopher Jack

Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder dismisses Rangers Old Firm defeat ahead of Champions League clash

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst

ALFRED SCHREUDER will dismiss Rangers' derby demolition against Celtic as he seeks to plot their Champions League downfall in Amsterdam.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side kick-off their Group A campaign with a daunting tie against Ajax as Rangers return to this stage after a 12 year absence.

The Dutchman is still reeling from the Old Firm humbling on Saturday that saw Celtic open up a five point lead in the title race thanks to a comfortable 4-0 win at Parkhead.

But Schreuder, who saw Ajax cruise to victory over Cambuur in the Eredivisie, insists that was not a true reflection of the test that the top seeds will face at the Johan Cruijff Arena.

Schreuder said: “They are an experienced team with an experienced coach, I don’t look towards what happened against Celtic, I look more at what they did against PSV.

“They played a tough game, and so did we, although it is a different type of game.

“We won, they lost, but this is a totally different game.

“We have a lot of respect for our opponents, but we are playing for the win.

“We need to be prepared and do what is asked of us. If we do that we will give ourselves the best chance."

Rangers face an ominous task on the night they will attempt to get off and running and give themselves the perfect start in a section that also includes Liverpool and Napoli.

Former Ibrox defender Calvin Bassey is set to line-up against Van Bronckhorst's side just weeks after he completed a record-breaking move to Ajax.

And Schreuder has been impressed with the way in which the Nigerian internationalist has settled into life in Amsterdam as Bassey continues to go from strength to strength this term.

Schreuder said: “He is a great signing for us, we are very happy he is here and in our team.

“He has great physicality and he brings a lot of energy to the team. He is improving all the time and I am happy he is with us.

“He has a great confidence in himself, he plays for a club that’s very dominant on the pitch. One goes hand in hand with the other.

“He still has to learn on the pitch, as the trainer I am always looking for aspects of his play where he can get better. He has already shown fast progress.”

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