UYL Preview: Slovan v Rangers

RANGERS Under-19’s are in Slovakia as they prepare to face Slovan Bratislava in the second-leg of their UEFA Youth League tie this evening.

The Gers travel with a two-goal lead after a 2-0 victory at Firhill in the second round match three weeks ago.

Graeme Murty is hoping his players can manage the occasion and the scoreline as they look to progress to the third round of the competition.

Speaking to RangersTV ahead of the tie, he said: “I am expecting a test, I am expecting the players to feel a little bit tense, I am expecting a bit of intensity from them to try and disrupt our flow, but I am expecting our young players to see a different side of a European tie one where they have to manage not only the scoreline but they have to manage their own expectations.

“They have put themselves in a really good position and we would really like them to go and capitalise and see if we can get through.

“You have to try and bring them back to process because there’s a lot of emotion involved in football there’s a lot of intensity there we have to try and keep them cool and calm and understanding the situation.

“The reality is we have got a two goal lead we can’t afford to sit back too far, we still have to be true to ourselves but we have to temper that with a little bit of canny thinking and a bit where we understand a positive result coming out of it is what we are going for.

“I expect fully the guys to go and handle all the things thrown at them, technically, tactically, psychologically, physically and I am expecting them to be tested but I am hoping they come through it with flying colours because everything they have had this season so far they have risen to so I am hoping that they do that again.”

The Gers controlled the majority of the first-leg, and Murty feels his players should take confidence from that performance.

He continued: “I think if anything they have learned they can compete. When you look at their quality and the way that we actually played in the tie, something like 70 per cent possession we had almost.

“We have a quality throughout the academy and we want more than anything for our players to go and back their ability and to back their ability in one v one situations both for and without the ball to make sure they come out on top and I think if we see that growth, which we have done this season we have got a good opportunity of getting through.

Graeme Murty’s side had the opportunity to train at Stadium Pasienky last night ahead of this evening’s game.

The Development head coach continued: “I think it is really good, it is a real benefit to the guys that they are not going into the venue cold, they can actually see the venue and experience what the pitch will be like.

“We don’t generally get it but it is nice of our opponents to extend us that hospitality and we will try and take the greatest advantage we can by getting our players prepped as well as we can.”

Rangers will play Slovan Bratislava at 4pm (UK time) this evening.