Rangers’ ‘raring to go’ in bid to keep Champions League campaign alive

Rangers have become so accustomed to scaling heights in Europe that there would be bruised egos to match a bruised balance sheet if Union St-Gilloise terminate their Champions League involvement at the qualifying stage.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team, Europa League finalists in May, must cancel out a 2-0 deficit at Ibrox on Tuesday after an error-strewn showing in Belgium. USG have only featured in European competition once before, in the Fairs Cup of 1964-65.

To Van Bronckhorst’s credit, he has not attempted to sugarcoat what transpired last week. The Rangers manager is, however, adamant there will be no repeat. “I have never seen my players more disappointed after a game,” he said.

“We have a chance now to overturn that and make sure we have a better performance. I am sure we are capable and [that] you will see a different team to what you saw last week.

“If you are playing in Europe you cannot have an off night. The level we reached last week is not what we normally reach or have to reach to be competitive in the Champions League. We always have confidence, no matter who we play at home. The confidence is there. The objective and desire is still to be in the Champions League next week.” At that point, Monaco or PSV Eindhoven would provide the opposition.

Rangers have apparently taken note not only of exuberant celebrations by their Belgian opponents at full-time of the first leg but also comments attributed to USG’s Teddy Teuma. The midfielder suggested the Ibrox atmosphere “is not a problem” for he and his teammates.

“You can use whatever motivation you need, everyone is different, but we certainly have all seen it,” the Rangers midfielder John Lundstram said. “We certainly all know it’s there. It’s a touch