Gio van Bronckorst has urged his players to help reinforce Ibrox’s reputation as one of the cauldrons of European football by firing their fans into a frenzy from the first minute against PSV.
The Rangers boss knows opposition - including Union Saint-Gilloise in the last round of the Champions League qualifiers - have melted in the heat generated by a full house in Govan and he is desperate to test the mettle of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side in the play-off first leg. Van Bronckhorst believes PSV will provide a massive test and warned his players that a repeat of the clash with the Belgians, where Rangers played poorly for 90 minutes in the first leg before overturning a two goal deficit at Ibrox, won’t be enough to make the Champions League.
He said: “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. 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. 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. 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 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.
“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.”
Van Bronckhorst revealed that Ryan Kent and James Sands, both of whom missed the weekend win over St Johnstone, are back in contention. He added: “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.”
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