Michael Mols admits PSV are favourites to claim a Champions League berth over Rangers - but still believes his old club can blaze a trail into the group stage.
The two sides are locked at 2-2 after a pulsating first leg at Ibrox to leave the tie hanging in the balance ahead of Wednesday's huge decider in Eindhoven. Ruud van Nistelrooy 's side have a strong home record at the Phillips Stadion and midfielder Joey Veerman, a former Ibrox transfer target, vowed the Eredivisie leaders would "get Rangers next week".
And while Mols accepts PSV's odds are shorter, he insists it's far from an open and shut case as a place at the continent's top table beckons for the victors. The former Ibrox striker said: "PSV did play better than Rangers in the second half because they had a lot of trouble putting pressure on them.
"Then I thought Rangers were too rushed in getting the ball forward. But despite the disappointing result at Ibrox, I will certainly give them another chance.
"I would say it is probably 55-45 in favour of PSV after the first leg. But as a Rangers supporter, I still hope for a positive outcome. Let's be honest, the Europa League and Europa Conference League are nice tournaments, but in the end, it is only about one thing and that is the Champions League."
Meanwhile, Ronald Waterreus - who made over 300 appearances for PSV and also had a spell at Rangers - is prepared to cut blundering PSV keeper Walter Benitez some slack after his Ibrox howler allowed Tom Lawrence to score a free kick. He said: "Yes, he made a mistake. We all make that once. But I refuse to go along with the view PSV have a goalkeeper problem.
"He was great against Monaco. He's a very good goalkeeper. If he makes three or four of these mistakes in a short time, then it will be a different story, but that's not the case."
PSV have announced the return game at the Philips Stadion is now completely sold out with 35,000 set to be packed into the ground for the Wednesday showdown.
