Giovanni van Bronckhorst stressed the importance of Champions League football to himself and Rangers as he prepared for the first leg of the play-off against PSV Eindhoven at Ibrox on Tuesday night.
The Govan club last played in European football’s elite club competition in 2010/11 before their financial problems saw them re-emerge in the bottom tier of Scottish football, from where they eventually returned to the top flight.
Rangers were knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by Malmo last season, but Gers players and fans then enjoyed a memorable run to the Europa League final, only to lose on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville.
However, it is the top-tier tournament that the Rangers manager, who took over last November, has targeted. “It is my hope and our hope,” said the former Feyenoord boss, who confirmed Ryan Kent and James Sands are available after missing the 4-0 cinch Premiership win over St Johnstone at Ibrox on Saturday. “We are playing European football every season.