Giovanni van Bronckhorst emphasises Rangers’ desire to be Champions League club

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. Last season was the Europa League.

“Of course the disappointment in not going through to the group stage (of the Champions League) against Malmo, we changed that into a very positive year in Europe.

“But no doubt in my mind that, every year we are involved in European football, we want to be part of the Champions League.

“That has to be our goal and that’s why we work hard.

“It doesn’t mean we will play every year in the Champions League, but the desire (is to do that) and we want to show everyone that we want to be in that tournament.

“I obviously coached before in the Champions League, it is a tournament you want to be involved in a player, as club, as a coach.

“I came here and wanted to win this club prizes and wanted to