GIOVANNI van Bronckhorst insists that Rangers will give nothing less than 100% as they travel to the Red Bull Arena to face RB Leipzig in the Europa League Semi-Final on Thursday evening.
The squad will travel to Germany to take on Domenico Tedesco’s side in the first leg of the last four, before the return at Ibrox next Thursday.
The Gers boss feels that the squad ‘have to believe’ as they look to continue their European journey, but acknowledged the challenges that will be presented over the course of the two legs.
Speaking to the media at this morning’s pre-match press conference, van Bronckhorst said: “Of course, playing a semi-final is exciting and potentially reaching a final is very exciting, but you still have to overcome the semi-final.
“We’ve watched Leipzig play many times and are preparing well for the game, but of course you feel that you are coming close to the final.
“In the end, it’s still two games to be played and we’re playing against a top opponent, we’ll give 100% in both legs to be in the final next week.
“We have to believe. The run we’ve had in Europe has been very good, but you need a good performance tomorrow and next week.
“The confidence is there but we know that we have to perform again, everything that we have achieved in the past doesn’t count against Leipzig.
“We’re just preparing well for these two games, I’m very confident in my team and I’m sure that we can get good performances to make a chance to reach the final.”
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Van Bronckhorst looked ahead to the difficulties that the squad will face on the pitch but insists that the team must focus on their own game to take a positive result back to Glasgow next week.
He added: “It depends on the game; you want to attack and create chances. I think we have shown that in all the games that we’ve had.
“It’s just ensuring you do the right thing at the right moment and I’m sure we will have moments when we are defending, but we have to create dangerous chances to score.
“It’s a semi-final of the Europa League so the level is high, and we have to prepare well and make sure we have a good result to take back with us to Ibrox next week.
“We just concentrate on our own game; we’ve also played many games in the last few weeks, so I think for everyone still involved in Europe and competitions, it’s quite demanding on the squad both mentally and physically.
“We just have to make sure that we are doing well ourselves and play the way we want to play against Leipzig. For me, that’s more important than what the opponent or what other teams feel.
“Leipzig are a very strong team, a very attacking squad with a lot of pace up front. It’s a well organised team, we have to prepare well because we’re going to play against a very strong team.”
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The Gers boss outlined his own preparations ahead of the game and reflected on his time at the club since taking over as manager in November.
He continued: “Of course, it feels different because you are a coach and you’re responsible for the team, but what I had as a player I have as a coach – you just have to concentrate on the preparations of games and block the media and pressure you get from outside to win each leg and concentrate on performance and preparations.
“I think that’s what the players also have to do, prepare as normal and once the whistle goes, go into the game and give everything that you have on the pitch.
“I came in November with my staff, and we started straight away without any preparations, but as I said before I think that we both reacted well.
“We have to do it all together, of course I’m the manager and will lead the team but I’m just very proud of the players performing in difficult circumstances against difficult opponents.
“We’re now in the final weeks of the season and we’ll give everything that we can to be successful in Europe – that’s what you want, to be involved in Europe in big games.”
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