RANGERS manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has expressed confidence that his side can reach the Champions League group stages despite being held to a 2-2 draw by PSV Eindhoven in the play-off first leg at Ibrox.
James Tavernier and his team mates fought back well after falling behind to a Ibrahim Sangare goal at a Cody Gakpo corner in the first-half.
They levelled through Antonio Colak just four minutes later and then took the lead after half-time when Walter Benitez allowed a long-range Tom Lawrence free-kick to slip through his fingers.
However, centre half Armando Obispo headed home at another Gakpo corner with 12 minutes remaining to put Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side in a strong position heading into the rematch.
But Van Bronckhorst is convinced the Europa League finalists can travel to the Philips Stadium, where they have never lost in three previous visits, and triumph next Wednesday night to reach the group stages of Europe’s premier club competition.
"In the end, we lost a goal from a set-piece and that was disappointing,” he said. "But the tie is still open and we have the chance to go through next week. Of course we can do it.
"It's the second leg, they play at home and hopefully we can get more space and try to win. We have to do that to get our goal and we will give everything.
"It was a very close game. The differences aren't that big and we saw that in this game. PSV got the first goal and that's always important, but we fought back well.
"We scored a good goal to make it 1-1 and then you saw the game we wanted with high tempo and speed going forward.
"But this was a high quality game against a good side. This is the level we want to compete at. PSV showed they are a good team at big moments and so did we. That is why the game ended 2-2.”
Asked about the set piece goals that Rangers conceded, Van Bronckhorst said: "We were a bit unlucky with the first goal. We had the first contact, but the ball stayed in the area. The second? We have to be stronger and get first contact on the corner.
Van Bronckhorst was delighted that Colak, his £1.8m summer signing, netted his fourth goal in as many games.
"Colak's workrate when we don't have the ball is really good,” he said. "He scored a great goal and I am happy with his performance.
"In the Champions League, at this stage it's also about when you don't have the ball and he brought great energy.”
Asked why he had not put on Alfredo Morelos, Van Bronckhorst said: "Why? Colak played fine, he had energy and was very dangerous. For me, that wasn't a point I had to change.”
