Jubilant Gio van Bronckhorst insists Rangers are returning to the Champions League determined to compete with the big guns.
Rangers have been handed glamour trips to Liverpool, Ajax and Napoli in Group A as reward for dumping PSV out of the competition on Wednesday night. It’s the first time in 12 years that the Light Blues have taken a seat at UEFA’s top table.
But van Bronckhorst is adamant is side are not merely there to make up the numbers and believes they can shock the continent again after last year’s stunning surge to the Europa League final in Seville. Speaking before the draw, van Bronckhorst joked: “Yeah, we are going to try and win it now. Of course you want to be competitive. We are here to compete, we want to compete with the best teams in Europe.
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"It is going to be a difficult challenge because we are going to face some big teams in Europe, like we did last year, but it is an experience that I will love. I love that my players will have the opportunity to compete.
“I always remember my first game in the Champions League with Feyenoord against Juventus away and the first 20, 25 minutes I was blown away by the level and the way Juventus played in that time. To experience that as a player, you have to be very privileged because not many players get the chance to compete on this level.”
Gers booked their place in the groups after grinding their way past Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side to claim a 3-2 aggregate win in Eindhoven. Antonio Colak was the hero with his £40million tap-in as the Croatian striker yet again lead the line in the absence of Alfredo Morelos.
The controversial Colombian was left behind in Glasgow amid concerns over his fitness and commitment levels. Contract talks for the 26-year-old - who is free to discuss a move away next summer from January - have been put on hold while his Ibrox futures assessed.
But van Bronckhorst insists there is a way back for Morelos after challenging the sulking striker to get fit and play a part in Rangers’ Euro adventure. Offering the club’s record European marksman an olive branch, GVB said: “I think one of the jobs as a coach is to inspire your players for what lies ahead and for us it was the Champions League.
“Of course you have the fireworks and the day we had. And Morelos qualified for the Champions League as well, he qualified for the Champions League as well. I think he is also proud that he sees his team-mates and his club qualify for the biggest competition in the world. He is still a Rangers player and I will push him the way I can to get him fit and to get the Morelos back that we all want.”
There was no sign of a petted lip after the match as Morelos joined the throng of well-wishers praising van Bronckhorst’s team on social media. Posting on Instagram, the South American wrote: “This is my team. Congratulations boys. We are back.”
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