Kenny Dalglish admits Rangers will have to take a different approach from some of last season’s heroic European nights if they are to progress to the Champions League group stage for the first time in over a decade.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst led the Ibrox club to the Europa League Final and took some big scalps along the way, including German giants Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig in the semi-final. But the Light Blues were away from home first in three of their four knockout round ties.
That was also the case in their Champions League third qualifying round tie against Union Saint-Gilloise where they overturned a 2-0 first leg deficit with a storming 3-0 win at Ibrox in the return. However, they now face a shoot-out with PSV Eindhoven in Holland to reach the promised land after a 2-2 draw in Glasgow in the first game.
And Scotland and Liverpool legend Dalglish says that represents its own challenge for Van Bronckhorst and his men. Writing in his Sunday Post column, he said: “Rangers got some huge results in the Europa League last season, but most of them were when they had the return leg at Ibrox. This is different, and now there will need to be a change of mindset.
“Giovanni will have a plan, and it will be interesting to see exactly what that is. We will get an inkling of it when we see his starting line-up before kick-off, and all the more apparent when the game starts. Does he go on the front foot, to try to get the first goal? Or does he sit back, let PSV have the ball, and try to hit on the counter?
“Rangers will definitely need to be patient. They will have spells without the ball, and they need to stay compact and focused. As much as they face an uphill struggle to go through, this is not insurmountable. Remember, they scored two goals at Ibrox, and Antonio Colak’s equaliser was really pleasing on the eye, a great team goal.
“The Croatian striker is looking the part, and he has a good percentage of chances converted from openings created. If Giovanni starts with Antonio – and it will be either him or Alfredo Morelos – then it’s vital to get good service into the penalty box. That’s where James Tavernier will, as ever, be important. The Rangers captain has been exceptional on the European stage, and another massive performance from him will be required.
“On the evidence of last Tuesday night’s game at Ibrox, I’d have to make PSV Eindhoven clear favourites to go through to the Champions League group stage.
"The Dutch club came away with a 2-2 draw and I was impressed by Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side. They have some very good players, and seemed extremely comfortable with the way they were asked to play, and how they handled the occasion.
“There is no doubt Giovanni van Bronckhorst would have wanted to take some sort of lead over to his home country. His main frustration would have been that they got ahead in the tie, but then conceded an equaliser from a set-piece.
“Indeed, both of PSV’s goals came from corners, and it’s no wonder Giovanni was angry with the level of defending. However, the positive to take from that is that PSV didn’t tear them apart in open play to score any goals.”
Dalglish has also backed Jon McLaughlin for a big performance as he continues to be the first choice ahead of Allan McGregor. Dalglish continued: “Jon McLaughlin will also be vital on Wednesday evening. He has taken over from Allan McGregor as No. 1, and has big gloves to fill.
“Allan was always good for two or three big saves at vital moments. He managed to do that last season in Europe. Jon will need to be ready, and I’m sure he will start in midweek. I don’t see anything in his performances to suggest he will be left out.
“Overall, there will be an almighty effort required to be in the draw with the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool and PSG at the end of the week. But, remember, away goals don’t count, so, technically, Rangers don’t need to score. A 0-0, or any kind of draw, takes it to penalties.
“It could well be it goes all the way, and if it does, the Light Blues will obviously hope for a different outcome from the last time they faced a spot-kick shoot-out. It would be great to see Rangers emerge triumphant to join Celtic in the main tournament.”
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