Giovanni van Bronckhorst proud of Rangers after their extra-time win over Braga

Giovanni van Bronckhorst was full of pride after Rangers reached the Europa League semi-final with an exhausting 3-2 aggregate win against nine-man Braga after extra-time at Ibrox.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Portugal last week, Gers captain James Tavernier levelled after just over a minute then scored from the spot just before the break after Braga defender Vitor Tormena was sent off for denying Gers striker Kemar Roofe a goalscoring opportunity

The Light Blues were stunned in the 83rd minute when David Carmo scored to level the tie at 2-2 and take it to extra-time where Roofe pounced to score the winner in the 101st minute before substitute Iuri Medeiros was also sent packing as Rangers won to set up a semi-final meeting with RB Leipzig.

The Gers manager said: “It feels very big, very good at the moment. It was the result we wanted

“We started the game really well, a lot of pressure up front and lots of chances

“I am just happy we are through, it is a big achievement to be in the last four of Europe and I am really proud of the performance of my team.

“You play against one man less then two men. We looked a bit nervous and tense at moments.

“It was only in the last five or six minutes of the second period of extra-time that we kept the ball and played the game out and got the win to go through to the next round.”

Asked if Rangers could win the tournament, the former Netherland skipper said: “Well, we are getting closer. But I played in a World Cup final, played extra-time in the World Cup final and lost it.

“In the end we had nothing. You have to push hard until you have the prize and that’s what we are going to do.

“We are going to enjoy this night and work hard for the coming games to give this club success.