Gio van Bronckhorst hailed VAR as the game-changing godsend behind Rangers ’ stunning victory over Borussia Dortmund.
The Ibrox boss believes two crucial interventions by the off-field assistants played a huge part in his side’s Europa League round of 32 first-leg 4-2 success in Germany.
A VAR check spotted a handball in the box from Dan-Axel Zagadou which allowed James Tavernier to net from the spot and an Alfredo Morelos goal was initially ruled out before a review saw no issue with it.
Both moments proved key in a result which sent shockwaves across the game and Van Bronckhorst insists both decisions would have gone against his team had the technology not been present.
He said: “You can imagine if VAR wasn’t there, we probably wouldn’t get the penalty and the fourth goal would be denied.
“I am pro-VAR because it will help the officials to get a good game.
“If you saw two decisions that were made, first with the penalty and then the goal we scored.
“The linesman said it was offside. They were both vital, changing moments in the game.
“So it shows at critical moments, deciding moments, you can make it easier for the ref and for both teams.”
Rangers will now put the euphoria of one of their finest wins in Europe behind them as they ready themselves for a Premiership clash against Dundee United at Tannadice tomorrow.
But Van Bronckhorst admits the German triumph belongs amongst the club’s best ever results as he attempts to move the focus on to Tayside.
He said: "I don’t have all the results in my mind of the history of this club, but it’s definitely, for me and also the players, a very good and historic win. You can see all the reactions we are getting. It means you did a really good performance.
“On the other hand, we also know it is only halfway. We’re really happy with the result and now we have a game at Ibrox with the full backing of the fans.
“Hopefully we can make sure this win we had can also mean we are going through to the next round because obviously that is the main objective we have in this tie.
“Of course it’s a good feeling to come back from Germany with a win. I think we are all very proud of the performances we had on Thursday.
“It was good, but today is a new day and another game is waiting for us on Sunday. That needs all the focus we have, also the preparation.
“The emotions are still really good but I’m fully focused now on preparing the team for Sunday.”
BT Sport pundit and former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves compared a superb showing from Rangers winger Ryan Kent with French star Frank Ribery and van Bronkhorst admitted the Englishman is hitting the heights.
He said: “We know the qualities of Ryan. I can see the comparison because I think they are both playing the same way.
‘“They are not very big, they move very alike and can beat players in a one against one. So I’m really happy for Ryan with the performances he is putting in and the danger he has when we are attacking.
“I think his defensive work was also impressive. I think he is becoming a better player every game.
‘Hopefully we can improve his performances and development but he is definitely one of the players who is stepping up his game in recent weeks.”
Van Bronckhorst insists nobody at Rangers will be taking their eye off the ball at Tannadice despite their European heroics.
He said: “We are now changing our focus to our domestic league. We have had some good moments recently, we all know the importance of this game. The players are in a good moment, but they are really focused.
“Directly after the game we started our recovery for Sunday, today as well.
“We will have a final session tomorrow to prepare for the game. Now we want to switch our focus to the league.
“We know it will be a tough game on Sunday, but we need the points so we need to be ready for the challenge.
The Dutchman also hopes to have Fashion Sakala, Kemar Roofe and Jon McLaughlin all available for the trip to Dundee United after missing out in Germany.
He said: “We brought the squad to Germany with the players available. We couldn’t bring them with us.
“We have to see but hopefully they can be involved in the squad on Sunday.”
