It doesn't come much bigger than this for Rangers. A long absence from the Champions League could come to an end in just over a week's time as they square off with PSV Eindhoven in a two-legged shootout for a coveted place in the group stage.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst will take on old pal Ruud van Nistelrooy but there'll be no love lost between the two Dutchmen when the whistle blows at Ibrox on Tuesday. Booking a seat at Europe's top table would be a transformative step for Rangers, both on the pitch and the balance sheet as the prestige of battling the continent's elite also brings financial rewards.
But Van Bronckhorst will know his players face a serious test against a PSV side who have started the campaign in red-hot form. They've already beaten Ajax in the Dutch Super Cup and disposed of Monaco in the previous qualifying round.
The first match being at Ibrox has been mooted as a potentially pivotal factor given how well Rangers have used home advantage to spur them over the line in European second legs - but Van Bronckhorst has played down such an impact. He's also provided fitness updates on Ryan Kent and James Sands as well as discussing his relationship with Van Nistelrooy.
Here's ever word from the Rangers manager's Monday press conference.
On PSV
“We’ve seen a lot of games from them this season of course, they have a lot of new additions, new squad. Obviously they play different to last year but they have bought a lot of experience, with Luuk de Jong the striker who has experienced everything in football. He’s one of the main players at the moment. They have a clear way of playing and are comfortable on the ball, very strong in transition to attack. It’s a good side, they won the Super Cup in a really good and attractive game with Ajax, started the league well. It’s the last step into the group stages so we know we’re going to face a difficult opponent.
“It’s a recognised team in Europe, they play Champions League football and are always challenging for the Dutch title. You cannot compare PSV with other teams, all the teams are different but with the last play-off before the group stage this is game with a lot of pressure for both teams. You have to control that, but we’re looking forward to it. It’s a big game, you want big games in your career – it’s good to have big challenges for us."
Rangers' style of play
“We have to make sure the recognise their approach, the most important thing is how we start the game and how we want to play. It makes it easier for us if we have a good start, that’s what we always want to do at home. For PSV, I don’t know their intentions if they will come here, it’s clear the intention is to go through after two games so we have to wait and see. We’re going to prepare well for every scenario or style of play they may use.”
Different approach with the first leg at Ibrox?
“No. It’s the same as the first game you want to have a good result to take with you in the second game. It’s the same when we play away. But of course, at home you want to have a good game, it’s what we are trying to do. We have everyone available for tomorrow. James Sands and Ryan Kent are back in the squad so we’re looking forward to the challenge we face tomorrow and next week.
“I have coached before in Champions League, it’s a competition you want to be involved in as a coach, a player, as a club. One of the best tournaments in club football. For me, I came here and wanted to give this club prizes, to play again at the highest level in the Champions League. So, the main thing for me is to qualify and bring the club back to the biggest stage in European football.”
On Ruud van Nistelrooy
“I haven’t been in touch with him lately. I think the last time we spoke, because we have both have foundations, was regarding those. That was the last time we spoke in person. I said before I never thought he would be a coach, I never had the thought of being a coach when I was playing, that only came after. Ruud did his badges for a few years and made the decision to get the experience in the PSV academy which he did well. He’s been given a chance to coach the first team now and it’s a place he’s very familiar to the club. The support he has had is similar to what I had at Feyenoord. I’m looking forward to meeting him again and to see another player I played with making his moves in management.
“For me playing with him (Ruud) brings back more memories than playing against him. I played against him when we played Rangers against PSV in the 90s in the Champions League and I think he made his move to Manchester United just after that. You can see the talent he brought and possessed at that time. It’s good to see him back again.
“When you play in a Dutch team with players like Frank De Boer and Philip Cocu you are always talking about the shape and the focal points in the teams, also I think the extension of the coach. So you have more feeling with them, I also played with Peter Bosch and he when he was playing he was talking like a coach. In the end the most important thing is once the jobs get you and you’re getting more experience and once you give all your energy to develop as a coach, those are the moments that you can recognise when a player is becoming a manager after his career."
Pressure of getting into the group stage
“No, for me it’s not more pressure because in the end we’ve been preparing for the game to win and for the players it is the same. Of course the rewards you get after the ties are bigger and that is the pressure but you don’t have to take that into the game. We want to concentrate on our strength and our ability to play well and overcome PSV in two games. That’s the only job we have to do.
“A good result tomorrow? We want to still be in the tie or have an advantage when you play the second game away from home. That’s normal. We have to be in very good condition and on top of our game because the last tie against Union we were under par away from home and we had to give it everything to make sure we got through after losing two goals. Against PSV we have to be there for two games, otherwise we will struggle to go through as the differences now are so little so it will be decided by the details in the games."
On the Ibrox atmosphere
“We want to have a positive performance going through to the group stage is the main objective. In the end I have to concentrate on the game plan and we have to be on top of our game for two nights.
‘At Feyernoord and also here you have the great support of the fans but I think you make it extra special and more hectic if the performance on the pitch is there because then it will become stronger and stronger. That’s what we have to do and try to achieve and make sure we are on top.
The fans are a big influence, if you play away from home and the fans are really there it’s a different environment. The teams that came here last season felt that. Combined with the Ibrox atmosphere on European nights we should have a good result but we have to take into account the quality of the opponent.
“Every game I played at home since Sparta Prague in the Europa League the atmosphere has been fantastic. I have no doubt tomorrow will be the same. Every year we want to be in the Champions League. That has to be our goal and that's why we work hard. The desire we want to show everyone is to be in that tournament.”
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