Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst says his team’s “belief is only getting stronger” after dispatching Red Star Belgrade in the last 16 of the Europa League.
The Scottish champions proved resilient to prevent a comeback in the second leg as the Serbian side were eliminated 4-2 on aggregate.
It’s the first time since 2008 that the Ibrox side have reached the quarter-finals of a European competition, but Rangers fans will dare to dream ahead of Friday’s draw…
Van Bronckhorst surpasses previous feats
“I’m very proud, it’s a great achievement,” Van Bronckhorst told BT Sport afterwards. “I am more than happy for everyone involved in this club.”
Since the Dutchman’s move to Rangers in November, concerns have been raised about the reigning champions’ domestic form.
The Ibrox side have gone from holding a four-point cushion over rivals Celtic to trying to chase down a three-point deficit. What cannot be discredited, however, are his European exploits under Steven Gerrard’s successor.
Van Bronckhorst’s first game in charge came in the penultimate group stage game against Sparta Prague. A two-goal win was required to book an eliminated place, and a 2–0 win was secured.
A credible 1-1 draw at posh Ligue 1 outfit Lyon followed in the final group match, with Rangers second place already confirmed.
When Borussia Dortmund took their hats off in their first knockout game, the general consensus was that Rangers’ European adventure would inevitably come to an end against the German giants.
But a famous 6-4 aggregate win was achieved, a result that will go down in Ibrox folklore, before Govan’s side were drawn with Serbian champions Red Star in the round of 16.
A clinical 3-0 victory in the first leg put Rangers firmly in the driving seat and, despite a 2-1 loss in Thursday’s second leg in Belgrade, the Ibrox club advanced to the top quarter-finals of the Europa League in 14 years, a feat. which dwarfs the previous European achievements of his predecessor Gerrard.
‘In moments when he needs to be, he is there’
Once again, 40-year-old goalkeeper Allan McGregor delivered a goalkeeping masterclass to inspire Rangers to another memorable European occasion.
The former Scotland goalkeeper made vital saves in decisive moments of the tie to prevent Red Star from making the night more nervous for Rangers, becoming the oldest goalkeeper in Europa League history to make at least 11 saved in a game in the process.
The last time Rangers reached this stage of European competition, in their run to the 2008 UEFA Cup final, McGregor was in top form as Rangers battled to a round of 16 win at Werder Bremen. , a sign, perhaps, that history can repeat itself?
“At times he needs to be there, he is there,” Van Bronckhorst said of his goalkeeper. “I am very happy with his performances. Even at his age, he is very important to us.”
‘The rangers will fear no man’: who’s next?
As Van Bronckhorst eluded post-match, with each passing round, “the opponent will get stronger.”
And a quick glance at Rangers’ potential Round of 16 opponents will make you wonder if you’re looking at the Champions League instead.
Spanish giants Barcelona, Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, Serie A side Atalanta, a reunion with Premier League side Lyon and West Ham United would provide glamourous ties.
On paper, teams like Portugal’s Braga, whom Rangers knocked out in the last 32 in 2019-20, and Eintracht Frankfurt, who sit ninth in the German top flight, look favorable on paper.
But with competitive favorites Dortmund eliminated before Red Star’s victory, Van Bronckhorst’s men will rise to any challenge.
“I don’t think Rangers fear anyone,” former Scotland international Leanne Crichton told BBC Sportsound. “It seems that Van Bronckhorst is destined to face his old team, Barcelona. If you are going to win, he goes and knocks out the big guns.”
“Barcelona is not what it used to be,” added former Rangers striker Mark Hateley. “The rangers have done enough to put doubt in anyone’s mind.”
‘Rangers can’t be ruled out’: analysis
Former Rangers right back Richard Foster on BBC Sportsound
It’s going to be a tough question because of the teams left in the competition. That said, they’ve outplayed Dortmund and a decent Red Star team, so you can’t rule them out.
But to go all the way and keep battling Celtic for the league, and be in the Scottish Cup semi-finals, Van Bronckhorst has to use his squad.
Former Scotland international Leanne Crichton on BBC Sportsound
You will see in the next few weeks how good the team is, because they will be asked great questions.
The programming is only going to intensify. Now it’s the semi-finals, the Old Firm and the quarter-finals of this tournament.
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