THE visit of Ajax will be the final match of a campaign that Rangers are eager to consign to the history books for all the wrong reasons this season.
But James Sands is determined to make the most of the opportunity and the occasion and savour every second at Champions League level while he still can.
Victory over the Eredivisie giants would give Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side a degree of revenge following their embarrassing 4-0 defeat in Amsterdam on Matchday One.
And it would also ensure they avoid the ignominy of becoming the worst outfit ever to complete a group stage term on a night that could see Viktoria Plzen land an unwanted record.
Heavy defeats to Liverpool and Napoli have been difficult to take at Ibrox but the last encounter in Group A still inspires Sands as he seeks to make his mark at the highest level of the game.
"Anyone can see it has been tough for us,” Sands said. "A lot of results have not gone the way we would have liked but I think we have learned to take the emotion out of it and focus on the aspects of the game we can do better, what we have done well.
"I think that makes it a little easier to deal with when you focus just on the process and not the results.
"It is the last chance to prove what we have learned an a good opportunity for all of us.
"A little bit maybe [it is a motivation not to finish with zero points] but I think we are more just focused on the opportunity.
"You never know how many Champions League games you will get to play, you could go on to play 100 or this could be your last one. So for all of us it is about taking advantage of the opportunity rather than defending against an unfortunate record.
“I think we all kind of feel that the fans deserve something. They have waited a long time to see us in the Champions League.
“We are all pretty eager to get a good result for them and a good result for us. It has been a challenging couple of weeks in this competition but the game at the weekend has been a big step forward for this group and we are hoping to build on that.”
Sands will partner Leon King at the heart of the Rangers defence as boss Van Bronckhorst puts his faith in the combination that finished the win over Aberdeen on Saturday.
The American was dismissed in the defeat to Napoli earlier in the campaign and Rangers have never recovered from the 3-0 loss that was inflicted by the Serie A giants.
The weeks after that encounter were difficult for Sands but a positive showing, in both midfield and defensive roles, at the weekend was a step in the right direction this term.
Sands said: “It was certainly a little bit of a tough period after the red card. I was out of the team for a bit but I recognise that when you make mistakes, you get dropped from the team.
“That’s the responsibility you have at a big club like this. I’m happy with myself that I’ve pushed through it and had a good performance at the weekend.
“As for playing both positions, it’s just what the team needs at the minute. We have a lot of injuries. Whatever helps the team at this point, I’m willing to do.
“I hope [the supporters are seeing what I can bring to the team]. My game is not built on a lot of flash so sometimes it’s possible I get overlooked.
“But I think that the game against Aberdeen is a good example of the strengths that I do bring.
“I’ve loved my time here so far. I hope the fans recognise that as well. But I know you’re only as good as your last performance so I need to play well again [against Ajax].”
